Harrigan (2013) Reviews

• Overall good, would have liked more of an intro

  user-149-4668792014-11-02

  I was impressed with Tompkinson in the lead role and think he carried the film almost single- handedly, although I would also give a special mention to the Acting Chief of police character. It was a shame he didn't have more scenes because he and Tompkinson worked well together.I found the script overly clichéd. Also, it felt like it was missing half an hour's worth of introduction -the allusions of histories between the characters was far too esoteric, to the point that I hardly cared and just had to accept that 'something happened'. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing, but the production had more of the feel of a play rather than a film. If I were to dwell on the nine-foot man's second appearance (those of you who have seen it will know what I'm referring to) then I'd probably knock off another star.

• Surprisingly good film

  aforster32013-09-30

  I don't know who Jessica Lear is, but either she was watching a different film or she has a personal grudge against someone in the crew. A gritty, believable story, well shot, well researched locations, with characters you can really feel for and understand. The authentic 70s feel of the film, right down to the cinematography, is perfect. The dark, brooding undercurrent of the film encapsulates well the desperate and depressing mood the UK, and particularly the north, was suffering in the mid-seventies, without masking the human story behind the main characters. The touches of humour, just took the hard edge off the violence, and strong visual and audible content, to make this a thoroughly enjoyable film, well worth going to see. The storyline and the characters have enough mileage left in them for a sequel or TV series to follow. Good luck to all involved, it is heartening to see a good British film without the mockney mafia involved.

• Surprisingly good!

  awhittall2014-01-18

  This really is a very worthwhile movie, good story line and quite believable. I don't understand earlier comments about the budget for this film and how it was spent, I have seen some real shockers for the same budget (Last Passenger for one, now that was a painful movie to watch with not an original concept anywhere). The characters are quickly developed and have reasonable depth. The script was nicely put together and not over-done. Dark and dreary was well portrayed as were the emotions of the situation. I would recommend this movie, an interesting watch.

• British Crime Drama with a Twist

  clive-frayne-12013-09-23

  When someone says "British Crime Drama" I know what to expect, either Danny Dyer or another Mockney Guy Ritchie knock-off. So, it was a real delight to see that Harrigan is neither. Instead of geezers and shooters, Harrigan is moody, dark and tense crime drama set in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the 1970's. Stephen Tompkinson is a refreshing change from the usual, in that he delivers a powerful, but essentially understated performance in the main role. The same is true of the supporting cast, who manage to give very solid performances. On top of this, the film is beautifully shot. James McAleer, the DOP, has managed to get just the right balance between the darkness of the story and the warm tones of the period. The movie is based on the real life experiences of a retired copper, and because if this it does offer up some new ideas, whilst not deviating too far from what you'd expect from a maverick cop drama. It's a brave production team that takes on a period drama on a British independent movie budget, but this one manages to pull it off with a certain amount of style.

• Poor

  jessicalearser2013-09-24

  Don't believe the ten star ratings. This is poor. Very poor. Depressingly bad script, poor performances and visuals devoid of any soul. Not sure how the producers managed to pour 1.3m into this steaming pile of doggy doo but someone, somewhere must be laughing their socks off. Even by low TV movie standards this is terrible. Stephen Tomlinson is no movie star and he proves it in what amounts to a dull, plodding and brow furrowed non performance. The rest of the cast from the evil pedophile and his crew to the rest of the depressingly familiar, seen a million times, figures that pop up are non-entities. Harrigan is boring, depressing and instantly forgettable Another nail in the coffin of independent British film.