Michael Caine plays the title character. A retired soldier who's wife has just died. His best friend asks for his help in dealing with some youths who have been tormenting him, but he refuses since it will open up doors inside him that are best left closed. When his friend is murdered Harry slowly moves toward the realization that someone has to make a stand, more so when the police confess they they will be unable to prosecute the people responsible.
Those expecting Death Wish look elsewhere. This is a film with decidedly ore on its mind then just a revenge tale. Granted there are explosions of violence but this is a film with decidedly more on its mind. The film not only meditates on revenge, but growing older, the place of our youth in society, notions of justice among other things. As I watched the film I was shocked at first since the film never took the road I thought it would. I like that the film didn't always do the easy thing. Michael Caine gives an excellent performance that is quietly among his best. Caine's brown is a steely character who keeps it all bottled in, but there are cracks in his armor and there are times when it all comes down. Its a masterpiece of understated performance.
An excellent film well worth seeing, especially if you want a thriller thats more then just about the action.
Those expecting Death Wish look elsewhere. This is a film with decidedly ore on its mind then just a revenge tale. Granted there are explosions of violence but this is a film with decidedly more on its mind. The film not only meditates on revenge, but growing older, the place of our youth in society, notions of justice among other things. As I watched the film I was shocked at first since the film never took the road I thought it would. I like that the film didn't always do the easy thing. Michael Caine gives an excellent performance that is quietly among his best. Caine's brown is a steely character who keeps it all bottled in, but there are cracks in his armor and there are times when it all comes down. Its a masterpiece of understated performance.
An excellent film well worth seeing, especially if you want a thriller thats more then just about the action.