Harry Brown (out 22 March 10, Cert. 18)

Michael Caine, Ben Drew, Emily Mortimer, David Bradley, Charlie Creed-Miles,  dir. Daniel Barber, 2009, cert. 18

MonkeyScore: 92%

A modest law-abiding citizen, Harry Brown is a retired Marine and a widower who lives alone on a depressed housing estate. His only company is his best friend Leonard (David Bradley). When Leonard is murdered by a gang of thugs, Harry feels compelled to act and is forced to dispense his own brand of justice. As he bids to clean up the run-down estate where he lives, his actions bring him into conflict with the police, led by investigating officer DCI Frampton (Emily Mortimer) and D.S. Terry Hicock (Charlie Creed-Miles.)

Michael Caine brings his wealth of talent to Harry Brown, the vigilante pensioner who takes justice in his own hands on an infamous South London estate. While a work of fiction there's no doubt the story could be true. The young actors playing the hoodlums bring a lot of freshness and realism  to their roles. It almost feels if they were lifted straight off a dodgy street corner before taking up acting, and if the production notes are to be believed it seems some of them were. The result is quite simply the best British film of the year. Caine is back in London and his performance is as gritty and dark as the Elephant & Castle estate where the film takes place. There's not the slightest hint of Hollywood glitter in sight. You simply could not make this film in America nowadays: there's no happily ever after, no cutesy love story or pretty leads chosen for their chiselled looks rather than acting abilities.So what if the film U.S. marketing team struggles to get bums on seats outside of a few arthouse theatres? What we get is an important story, told by a promising first-time director who does not hold his punches. The result will stay with you long after the end credits roll. While not an easy popcorn watch this is an absolute must-see. Caine is simply stellar.