Honestly - in between trash triller, new french extreme and arthouse horror, it has become a rare occasion to truly be shocked by a film on the Fantasy Filmfest. That hasn't got anything to say about the quality about the films that are shown, but rather about their emotional construction. Characters have to be likeable so we care about them, the pace has to be right so the violence surprises and strikes us, the plot has to be so well constructed we forget we see a construct.
One of those rare occasions of a truly surprising, disturbing and haunting film is HARRY BROWN. The feature film debut by Daniel Barber surprises with brilliant cinematography, a haunting atmosphere, brilliant performances and Michael Caine in one of his very best roles. The opening - which I am not going to spoil and which, surprisingly, has nothing to do with the plot - is one of the most disturbing and gut wrenching scenes I have ever seen on the silver screen, and something I won't forget for a long time.
In the beginning of the film, we are quickly introduced to Harry Brown, an old man living somewhere in a bad neighborhood in London. We learn that his very sick wife is in the hospital, that his daughter died at the age of 13 and that his only friend and companion is stalked by a brutal teenage gang. A few days later, his wife has died, and the police knock on his door - his friend has been murdered by the gang that tormented him.
At this point of the film, we feel genuine sympathy with Harry, as he's lost everything left to him. Even worse, he has to watch as his neighborhood slowly transgresses into a battlefield of teenage violence. And so, Harry Brown makes the decision to do something.
What follows is one of the most dark, cynical and brutal films in recent years. Reminiscent of DEATH WISH or SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE, Barber's debut feature succeeds in both shocking and gripping the audience. Maybe the best british film of the year (I'll reserve this decision until I've seen the also lauded SHANK), HARRY BROWN is a definite must-see for every fan of thrillers, Michael Caine and british film in general.
Rating - 9.5/10
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