Say the name Michael Caine and most, who frequent movies during the last decade or so, will call to mind his role in an ‘Austin Powers’ movie or as ‘Alfred’ in the reenergized ‘Batman’ movies, along with very good performances in ‘Children of Men’ and “The Prestige”, (both in 2006). In 2008, Sir Michael Caine’s performance in “Is Anybody There” demonstrated that at 75 years old, he still has the ‘acting chops’ to deliver a commanding character.

In “Harry Brown”, there’s more action for his character as he portrays Harry Brown, an elderly ex-Royal Marine and a recent widower, who sets out on a path of vengeance when his best friend is murdered by a gang of drug-dealing youths who are wreaking havoc in the run-down public housing project south of London where he lives. Harry Brown is pushed to the point of striking back on his own when the police have no concrete evidence to bring the guilty youths to justice.

It’s a familiar cinematic theme that has sustained throughout the years. When I think of the genre of vigilantes in movies, what immediately comes to mind is Clint Eastwood’s ‘Dirty Harry’ character (five movies), Charles Bronson’s five ‘Death Wish’ films, an absolute favorite of mine is the Wachowski brothers’ ‘V for Vendetta’ (2005), and, Jodie Foster’s ‘The Brave One’ (2007) which holds a special significance for me because it’s a reminder of the violent act that I barely survived in 2007 which forced my retirement from film production after twenty two years. And no, the perpetrators’ in my case have yet to be caught.

If asked who’s the most popular cinematic vigilante, I’d have to say Batman, with seven films since 1966, with the next installment due in 2012…

“Harry Brown” Starring Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Charlie Creed-Miles, David Bradley, Iain Glen, Sean Harris and Ben Drew.

Directed by Daniel Barber. Written by Gary Young. Samuel Goldwyn Films release. Rated R for strong violence and language throughout, drug use and sexual content. Runtime: 103 minutes.

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