Harry Brown (film)
Encyclopedia
Harry Brown is a 2009 British action drama film directed by Daniel Barber
and starring Michael Caine
, Emily Mortimer
, Jack O'Connell
, and Liam Cunningham.
The film also features actor and artist Plan B who, with Chase & Status, is also responsible for the film's theme music track "End Credits." Harry Brown had its World Premiere as a "Special Presentation" at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival
and was released theatrically in the United Kingdom by Lionsgate UK
on 11 November 2009; the film was released in the United States by Samuel Goldwyn Films
and Destination Films
on 30 April 2010.
The story follows Harry Brown, a widowed Royal Marines
veteran, who had served in Northern Ireland
, living on an Elephant and Castle
housing estate
that is rapidly descending into youth crime. Harry fights fire with fire after a friend is murdered.
), an elderly former Royal Marine currently living in a council estate ruled by violent gangs
, spends most of his time playing chess with his best friend, Leonard "Len" Attwell (David Bradley
) and visiting his hospitalised and comatose wife, Katherine, who suddenly dies from complications.
After her funeral, Len confides in Harry that he is being terrorised by some youths and shows Harry an old bayonet
he now carries to defend himself, citing that the police would not help him and he plans on taking justice into his own hands. The next day, Harry is visited by Detective Inspector Alice Frampton (Emily Mortimer
) and Detective Sergeant Terence "Terry" Hicock (Charlie Creed-Miles
), who tell him that Len had been murdered by a local gang lead by Noel Winters (Ben Drew). After Len's funeral, Harry is held at knife-point by Dean Saunders, an addict and suspect in Len's murder, whom he stabs in self defense during a brief struggle. Frampton visits Harry again the following morning and informs him that because Len was killed with his own bayonet, any charges laid could be reduced to manslaughter
on the basis of self-defence.
Harry decides to take matters into his own hands; he follows a drug dealer named Kenny (Joseph Gilgun
) to a squalid den where he negotiates to buy a pistol. Inside, Harry finds Kenny and his associate, Stretch (Sean Harris
) are also growing cannibis and are sexually abusing a currently overdosing
girl to make pornography
. When Harry suggests calling an ambulance for the girl, Stretch threatens Harry, and he kills the dealers in retaliation, before burning down their den and leaving with the girl and some firearms.
After leaving the girl outside a hospital, Harry captures one of Noel's gang members named Marky (Jack O'Connell
), who is being sexually abused by Troy Martindale, a heroin kingpin. Harry shoots and kills Martindale and captures Marky, whom he tortures into revealing some mobile phone camera footage of Len's murder, proving the gang's aggressive involvement. Harry uses Marky to bait Noel and Carl, another gang member, into a gunfight in the underpass, which ends with Noel fleeing and Harry in pursuit, before Harry collapses due to an emphysema
attack. Marky and Carl are killed in the fighting.
Convinced that the recent gang deaths are related to a gang war rather than Harry, Police Superintendent Childs (Iain Glen
) orders a major arrest operation on the estate, which then leads to a massive riot
. Harry discharges himself from hospital to pursue Noel, which results in Frampton and Hicock to be in a car crash when they attempt to stop him. Harry rescues them and takes them to a nearby pub, where Frampton warns Harry that Sidney "Sid" Rourke (Liam Cunningham
), the bartender, is actually Noel's uncle. Harry discovers that Sid had been hiding Noel, but his guard drops due to his emphysema, allowing Sid to take the gun and reveal that he plans on killing Harry and the officers to protect Noel. Frampton tries to call for backup, only to be stopped by Noel, who is told to strangle her after Sid suffocates an unconscious Hicock. After Harry draws a revolver and shoots Noel, Sid shoots and wounds Harry, only to be shot by Frampton's backup.
At a conference held after the riot, Superintendent Childs announces that Frampton and the late Hicock will be given medals for their work and sacrifice, and denies any evidence of vigilante involvement in the entire case, saying that any such suggestions are unhelpful. The final scene is of a recovered Harry walking towards the underpass, which is now quiet and safe.
reports that 66% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 113 reviews, with an average score of 6.1/10. Critical Consensus is: "Its lurid violence may put off some viewers, but Harry Brown is a vigilante thriller that carries an emotional as well as a physical punch, thanks to a gripping performance from Michael Caine in the title role." Empire gave the film four stars out of five, The Sunday Times awarded it one; GQ magazine gave the film 5 stars out of 5, calling it "truly awesome". Robbie Collin of the News Of The World gave the film 4/5, The Daily Mail said "finally a film that really matters...Brilliant" and Shortlist called it "the best British film of the year". The Times gave the film three stars but considered it "morally and politically repugnant". The Sunday Times was less positive: "It’s too daft to pass muster as action-movie hokum, let alone as social commentary."
Perri Nemiroff of Cinema Blend raved the film, saying "Caine pours every ounce of himself into Harry, and the payoff is massive... There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing a compelling story brought to life by standout performances and then further enhanced by stellar directing."
Roger Ebert
of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three stars out of four, and called the film "...a revenge thriller poised somewhere between Death Wish and Gran Torino
."
and Disney's A Christmas Carol. As of 8 August 2010 total worldwide gross was nearly $10 million including $1,818,681 in the United States where it opened against A Nightmare on Elm Street
.
in Walworth
, London
; which was due to be demolished in late 2010.
Daniel Barber (director)
Daniel Barber is a British director. Having begun his career as a highly successful director of commercials, he was nominated for an Academy Award in 2008 for his short film The Tonto Woman. In 2009 he directed Sir Michael Caine in Harry Brown....
and starring Michael Caine
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
, Emily Mortimer
Emily Mortimer
Emily Kathleen A. Mortimer is an English actress. She began performing on stage, and has since appeared in several film and television roles, including Scream 3, Match Point, Lars and the Real Girl, and Shutter Island....
, Jack O'Connell
Jack O'Connell (actor)
Jack O'Connell , is a British actor, from Alvaston, Derby, England. He went to St Benedict Catholic School and Performing Arts College...
, and Liam Cunningham.
The film also features actor and artist Plan B who, with Chase & Status, is also responsible for the film's theme music track "End Credits." Harry Brown had its World Premiere as a "Special Presentation" at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival
2009 Toronto International Film Festival
The 34th annual Toronto International Film Festival, was held held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada between September 10 and September 19, 2009. The opening night gala presented the Charles Darwin biography Creation...
and was released theatrically in the United Kingdom by Lionsgate UK
Lions Gate Entertainment
Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation is a North American entertainment company. The company was formed in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1997, and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California...
on 11 November 2009; the film was released in the United States by Samuel Goldwyn Films
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Samuel Goldwyn Films is an independent film company founded by Samuel Goldwyn, Jr., the son of the Hollywood business magnate/mogul, Samuel Goldwyn...
and Destination Films
Destination Films
Destination Films is Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions' independent film division. The company was originally founded and established by Brent Baum and Steve Stabler in 1999. The logo is two halves of a ring formed at the top and the bottom with a line with a crescent on one end and a star on...
on 30 April 2010.
The story follows Harry Brown, a widowed Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
veteran, who had served in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, living on an Elephant and Castle
Elephant and Castle
The Elephant and Castle is a major road intersection in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Southwark. It is also used as a name for the surrounding area....
housing estate
Housing estate
A housing estate is a group of buildings built together as a single development. The exact form may vary from country to country. Accordingly, a housing estate is usually built by a single contractor, with only a few styles of house or building design, so they tend to be uniform in appearance...
that is rapidly descending into youth crime. Harry fights fire with fire after a friend is murdered.
Plot
Harold "Harry" Brown (Michael CaineMichael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
), an elderly former Royal Marine currently living in a council estate ruled by violent gangs
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
, spends most of his time playing chess with his best friend, Leonard "Len" Attwell (David Bradley
David Bradley (actor)
David Bradley is an English character actor. He has recently become known for playing the caretaker of Hogwarts, Argus Filch, in the Harry Potter film franchise.-Life and career :...
) and visiting his hospitalised and comatose wife, Katherine, who suddenly dies from complications.
After her funeral, Len confides in Harry that he is being terrorised by some youths and shows Harry an old bayonet
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
he now carries to defend himself, citing that the police would not help him and he plans on taking justice into his own hands. The next day, Harry is visited by Detective Inspector Alice Frampton (Emily Mortimer
Emily Mortimer
Emily Kathleen A. Mortimer is an English actress. She began performing on stage, and has since appeared in several film and television roles, including Scream 3, Match Point, Lars and the Real Girl, and Shutter Island....
) and Detective Sergeant Terence "Terry" Hicock (Charlie Creed-Miles
Charlie Creed-Miles
Charlie Creed-Miles is an English actor and musician. He had a daughter with Samantha Morton in 2000.- Filmography :* You And I .... Ian* Harry Brown .... Hickock* King Arthur .... Ganis...
), who tell him that Len had been murdered by a local gang lead by Noel Winters (Ben Drew). After Len's funeral, Harry is held at knife-point by Dean Saunders, an addict and suspect in Len's murder, whom he stabs in self defense during a brief struggle. Frampton visits Harry again the following morning and informs him that because Len was killed with his own bayonet, any charges laid could be reduced to manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
on the basis of self-defence.
Harry decides to take matters into his own hands; he follows a drug dealer named Kenny (Joseph Gilgun
Joseph Gilgun
Joseph William Gilgun is an English actor best known for playing Eli Dingle in ITV's Emmerdale, Woody in the film This Is England and Rudy Wade in series 3 of E4's Misfits.-Biography:...
) to a squalid den where he negotiates to buy a pistol. Inside, Harry finds Kenny and his associate, Stretch (Sean Harris
Sean Harris
Sean Harris is a British actor, who is best known for his performance as Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis in the film 24 Hour Party People. He grew up in Norwich, Norfolk, where he lived until he was 23....
) are also growing cannibis and are sexually abusing a currently overdosing
Drug overdose
The term drug overdose describes the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced...
girl to make pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
. When Harry suggests calling an ambulance for the girl, Stretch threatens Harry, and he kills the dealers in retaliation, before burning down their den and leaving with the girl and some firearms.
After leaving the girl outside a hospital, Harry captures one of Noel's gang members named Marky (Jack O'Connell
Jack O'Connell (actor)
Jack O'Connell , is a British actor, from Alvaston, Derby, England. He went to St Benedict Catholic School and Performing Arts College...
), who is being sexually abused by Troy Martindale, a heroin kingpin. Harry shoots and kills Martindale and captures Marky, whom he tortures into revealing some mobile phone camera footage of Len's murder, proving the gang's aggressive involvement. Harry uses Marky to bait Noel and Carl, another gang member, into a gunfight in the underpass, which ends with Noel fleeing and Harry in pursuit, before Harry collapses due to an emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
attack. Marky and Carl are killed in the fighting.
Convinced that the recent gang deaths are related to a gang war rather than Harry, Police Superintendent Childs (Iain Glen
Iain Glen
Iain Glen is a Scottish film and stage actor.Iain Glen was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and trained at RADA where he won the Bancroft Gold Medal. He was married to Susannah Harker from 1993 to 2004; they have one son, Finlay...
) orders a major arrest operation on the estate, which then leads to a massive riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
. Harry discharges himself from hospital to pursue Noel, which results in Frampton and Hicock to be in a car crash when they attempt to stop him. Harry rescues them and takes them to a nearby pub, where Frampton warns Harry that Sidney "Sid" Rourke (Liam Cunningham
Liam Cunningham
Liam Cunningham is an Irish actor. He has appeared in numerous film and television productions including A Little Princess, First Knight, Jude and the BBC One science-fiction drama series Outcasts...
), the bartender, is actually Noel's uncle. Harry discovers that Sid had been hiding Noel, but his guard drops due to his emphysema, allowing Sid to take the gun and reveal that he plans on killing Harry and the officers to protect Noel. Frampton tries to call for backup, only to be stopped by Noel, who is told to strangle her after Sid suffocates an unconscious Hicock. After Harry draws a revolver and shoots Noel, Sid shoots and wounds Harry, only to be shot by Frampton's backup.
At a conference held after the riot, Superintendent Childs announces that Frampton and the late Hicock will be given medals for their work and sacrifice, and denies any evidence of vigilante involvement in the entire case, saying that any such suggestions are unhelpful. The final scene is of a recovered Harry walking towards the underpass, which is now quiet and safe.
Cast
- Michael CaineMichael CaineSir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
- Harold "Harry" Brown - Liz Daniels - Katherine "Kath" Brown
- Emily MortimerEmily MortimerEmily Kathleen A. Mortimer is an English actress. She began performing on stage, and has since appeared in several film and television roles, including Scream 3, Match Point, Lars and the Real Girl, and Shutter Island....
- Detective Inspector Alice Frampton - Charlie Creed Miles - Detective Sergeant Terence "Terry" Hicock
- Ben Drew "Plan B" - Noel Winters
- David BradleyDavid Bradley (actor)David Bradley is an English character actor. He has recently become known for playing the caretaker of Hogwarts, Argus Filch, in the Harry Potter film franchise.-Life and career :...
- Leonard Attwell - Sean HarrisSean HarrisSean Harris is a British actor, who is best known for his performance as Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis in the film 24 Hour Party People. He grew up in Norwich, Norfolk, where he lived until he was 23....
- Stretch - Jack O'ConnellJack O'Connell (actor)Jack O'Connell , is a British actor, from Alvaston, Derby, England. He went to St Benedict Catholic School and Performing Arts College...
- Marky - Jamie Downey - Carl
- Lee OakesLee OakesLee Oakes is an English actor best known for his role as Munch Wilkinson in the British comedy Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and as Kev in the British television series After You've Gone a fellow builder and best mate of Jimmy Venables portrayed by Nicholas Lyndhurst.Oakes is...
- Dean Saunders - Joseph GilgunJoseph GilgunJoseph William Gilgun is an English actor best known for playing Eli Dingle in ITV's Emmerdale, Woody in the film This Is England and Rudy Wade in series 3 of E4's Misfits.-Biography:...
- Kenneth ("Kenny") - Liam Cunningham - Sidney "Sid" Rourke
- Iain GlenIain GlenIain Glen is a Scottish film and stage actor.Iain Glen was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and trained at RADA where he won the Bancroft Gold Medal. He was married to Susannah Harker from 1993 to 2004; they have one son, Finlay...
- Superintendent Childs - Klariza ClaytonKlariza ClaytonKlariza Clayton is a British-Filipino actress, known for her roles in television shows including Dani's House and Skins. She is currently starring as Joy Mercer in the Nickelodeon teen mystery drama, House of Anubis ....
- Sharon (unconscious girl)
Reception
Harry Brown was met with generally positive reviews. Review aggregation website Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
reports that 66% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 113 reviews, with an average score of 6.1/10. Critical Consensus is: "Its lurid violence may put off some viewers, but Harry Brown is a vigilante thriller that carries an emotional as well as a physical punch, thanks to a gripping performance from Michael Caine in the title role." Empire gave the film four stars out of five, The Sunday Times awarded it one; GQ magazine gave the film 5 stars out of 5, calling it "truly awesome". Robbie Collin of the News Of The World gave the film 4/5, The Daily Mail said "finally a film that really matters...Brilliant" and Shortlist called it "the best British film of the year". The Times gave the film three stars but considered it "morally and politically repugnant". The Sunday Times was less positive: "It’s too daft to pass muster as action-movie hokum, let alone as social commentary."
Perri Nemiroff of Cinema Blend raved the film, saying "Caine pours every ounce of himself into Harry, and the payoff is massive... There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing a compelling story brought to life by standout performances and then further enhanced by stellar directing."
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three stars out of four, and called the film "...a revenge thriller poised somewhere between Death Wish and Gran Torino
Gran Torino
Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed by, produced by, and starring Clint Eastwood. The film marks Eastwood's return to a lead acting role after four years, his previous leading role having been in Million Dollar Baby, and Eastwood has stated that this is his final film as an actor...
."
Box office
As of 20 December 2009 the film had earned $6,649,562 domestically, opening against 20122012 (film)
2012 is a 2009 American disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich. It stars John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover, and Woody Harrelson. It was produced by Emmerich's production company, Centropolis Entertainment and was distributed by Columbia Pictures...
and Disney's A Christmas Carol. As of 8 August 2010 total worldwide gross was nearly $10 million including $1,818,681 in the United States where it opened against A Nightmare on Elm Street
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010 film)
A Nightmare on Elm Street is a 2010 American slasher film directed by Samuel Bayer, and written by Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer. The film stars Jackie Earle Haley, Kyle Gallner, Rooney Mara, Katie Cassidy, Thomas Dekker and Kellan Lutz...
.
Location
The film was mainly filmed on and around the mostly abandoned Heygate EstateHeygate Estate
The Heygate Estate is a large housing estate located in Walworth, Southwark, south London. The estate is currently under demolition.Heygate is one of the most high-profile estates in the United Kingdom, due to its notoriety and usage as a filming location...
in Walworth
Walworth
-Places:United Kingdom* Walworth, County DurhamUnited States* Walworth County, South Dakota* Walworth County, Wisconsin* Walworth, New York* Walworth, Wisconsin, a village* Walworth , Wisconsin, a town...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
; which was due to be demolished in late 2010.