Harry Brown

Basically this is a British "Death Wish". Michael Caine plays the title character. I recognized some of the other actors/actresses but this is really Caine's movie through and through. It could have just as easily been a good movie about the inevitable end of life and all the losses we must endure. But then of course a movie about an old man beset with grief over the death of his wife and friends might not have piqued enough interest.

Anyway, Brown is a Royal Marines pensioner who lives with his wife in what looks like the UK version of US projects. They call them "estates" or "council estates". As the movie opens his wife is dying. Brown's chess/drinking partner Les and his only friend left alive, is frightened of the young punks who infest the estate. The police won't help Les. Les comes to Brown for help figuring that a Royal Marine who served in Northern Ireland might have some ideas but Brown is numb with grief and just wants to be left alone.

Of course Les meets with a nasty end and the police may not be able to catch and convict those who did it. At that point, Brown decides enough is enough and we see that a Retired Badass is still a badass.

Caine looks and acts every minute of his 77 years and the movie is much the better for that. At various times he's dealing with back problems or breathing issues. Also the people he is up against are some of the worst and most wicked teens ever depicted on screen. Somewhat manipulative filmmaking perhaps but very entertaining.

"You failed to maintain your weapon, son!"