Get Carter – 1971
Director
Mike Hodges

Writers
Mike Hodges
Ted Lewis

Cast
Michael Caine
Ian Hendry
Britt Ekland

Review by Wayne Malin

Overrated but not too bad,

In England emotionless hit man Jack Carter (Michael Caine) travels to Newcastle to see about his brothers death. The police said it was accidental–he’s convinced it was murder. Slowly things get more violent and dark.

I don’t think this is a masterpiece of cinema like some think it is but it’s not a total bomb either. For its time this was revolutionary. It was bleak and cold and there’s not one character in this film that you can root for. Also the violence was pretty extreme with some really shocking treatment of women. Seen today it’s not so fresh. We’ve had plenty of dark films with no likable characters and extreme violence. Also, by today’s standards, the violence was pretty restrained. I also found the first hour completely boring–it picks up a lot in its second half.

Still, this is well-made–it’s beautifully directed and Caine is just great in his role. Also all the settings are drab and grim which just add to the feeling of the story. This wore me down eventually–I was thoroughly depressed by the end. Still, it’s worth catching if you’re into movies like this. I give it a 7.