Harrigan

Set in the bleak winter of 1974, surrounded by the austere backdrop of a decaying, deprived Northern town, Harrigan presents itself as a gripping, gritty, and compelling British crime film. Stephen Tompkinson, a seasoned actor recognized for his impressive roles in a variety of crime dramas in British television, brings life to the eponymous protagonist, Detective Sergeant Barry Harrigan.

Post-retirement from the Hong Kong Police Force, DS Harrigan returns home to find his once-thriving community beset by increasing levels of corruption, crime, and unemployment. The local police force, crippled and overstretched, is devoid of the resources and will needed to address the burgeoning crisis. It isn't a homecoming that Harrigan had envisaged. He now stands against a world that seemingly crumbled in his absence.

Stephen Tompkinson portrays Harrigan as a rough-hewed, uncompromising, inherently righteous figure, who despite being beleaguered by his own inner turmoil and haunting memories from his time in Hong Kong, is unwilling to turn a blind eye towards the rampant derelict that his community is turning into. He chooses to delve into the world of crime-fighting once more, setting out to reclaim control over the turbulent streets that were once his childhood playground.

Gillian Kearney's portrayal of Vickey Frizell stands as a testament to her acting prowess. She plays a toughened community worker who serves as a crucial reminder to Harrigan of the difference between revenge and justice. As Harrigan navigates the blurred lines between legal confines and moral obligations in his quest to bring about order in his town, Frizell stiffly acts as his moral compass.

Apart from the gripping story, the grimly atmospheric setting of the 70s, skillfully recreated, adds additional depth. This appreciation is thorough in its detail, whether it's the Ford Cortina driving down a gloomily lit street or the properties housing despair, that further accentuates the film's dark undertone to life in a Northern English town during that era.

Another noteworthy element is the stellar performance by renowned actor Ronnie Fox, who plays Sidney. He brings to the screen a sinister portrayal of a ruthless thug ruling with his iron fist. His confrontations with Harrigan are both intense and inevitable, and cooked to a simmering intensity by the developing plot.

With an emphasis on grim realism and a flair for the brutal, the film avoids the temptation to over-romanticize the period or trivialize the struggles inherent to the characters' lives. Instead, the movie gives us raw insights into the harsh realities of life in such dire conditions.

Harrigan is unapologetically a British crime film, infused with a contemporary sense of morality. The movie weaves a gripping narrative about the actual consequences that systematic failure and corruption can have on a community. Amidst this, the movie stands as a tribute to traditional values of justice, perseverance, and community spirit that seem to have a timeless appeal.

Cinematic elements like the sound, lighting, setting combined with the intense performances, succeed in creating an ambiance of tension that holds the viewer's attention throughout the film. Even the color palette adds to the grim atmosphere, featuring a bleak and muted assortment of hues that aptly depicts the desolate state of Harrigan's hometown.

Harrigan, with its grim realism and depiction of a lawless society, is a movie that grabs your attention from the get-go. This is a gritty, unflinching police drama peppered with moments of visceral violence that's designed to tell a story about a man wrestling to reinstate law and order in his town with nothing but his indomitable will and sense of righteousness to support him.

In Harrigan, we find a movie that's not afraid to delve into the grim and dire corners of society, creating an enthralling narrative that doesn't simply play out on the screen, but continues to resonate within the viewers long after the final credits have rolled. Whether you're a fan of crime dramas or historical period pieces, this is a film that will keep you engrossed.