Review of 'Get Carter'
A vicious London Gangster, Jack Carter (Michael Caine), travels to Newcastle for the funeral of his brother. He discovers it was not an accident and ruthlessly works his way through the criminal underworld, leaving bodies left, right and centre, as he searches for the murderer…with the occasional stop to bed a pretty lady.
I read a review that suggests that Michael Caine is not unlike “The Terminator” in his relentless seeking out of those that killed his brother. This is not far wrong and the deaths are equally visceral and, here, very personal and human rather than resorting (much) to guns. Caine is cool and brutal as he takes out one bad guy after another but we we are never in doubt that he is himself not much better than those he dispatches. If the violence was not enough for you there is also the fairly frequent nudity and even glimpses of porn early in the film. So, ticks all the boxes, I suppose for many but it is not really my “cup of tea” with my not really caring for any of the characters, not a one, sadly, despite Caine's riveting performance as the well-dressed gangster assassin: One likes to hope that this was not what it was like in 60s Britain but what do I know? In addition to Caine's performance the somewhat shocking (though apt) ending did surprise me and made the film a bit more interesting…but not enough for me to enjoy it.
From a nostalgic perspective it is interesting to see the run-down Newcastle of the late 60s/early 70s to compare it to how it is now. The (high) bridge makes an appearance as does, frequently, the Tyne. The factories and dingy city centre thankfully is now largely gone.
Ruthless violence, and sex from a dispassionate and unlikable killer in a suit. Despite a stunning performance by Michael Caine I can't really say I liked this film.
Rating: “Average, but who wants to be average?”
Review Date: 2022-08-01
Directed by: Mike Hodges
Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios
Year: 1971
Length: 112 minutes
Genre: Action/Adventure
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067128/
Other reviewed films by Mike Hodges:
- Flash Gordon (1980)