IF you thought films like The Firm or The Football Factory gave an uncomfortable insight into yob culture in south London, then Harry Brown will come as something of a shock.

Michael Caine (The Dark Knight, Educating Rita) stars as the central character, a pensioner living on a rough council estate dominated by a group of intimidating teenagers.

He spends his time playing chess with his only friend Leonard, played by David Bradley (Harry Potter films, Hot Fuzz) in their local pub.

Leonard, lamenting the drug culture sparking violence around them, suggests they take matters into their own hands and teach the yobs a lesson.

He is then found dead a day later, giving Harry all the encouragement he needs to take up his late friend's invitation to treat like with like.

What follows are some very uncomfortable scenes. Almost everything wrong with society is included in one form or another in this film.

Some scenes are particularly harrowing and graphic, meaning many will find themselves looking away at least a few times.

As Harry Brown reaches its climax, its view of the world is so dismal that some violence seems almost normal. But the viewer is still likely to remain shocked by the end after some harrowing exchanges.

Caine's performance is, as always, excellent. He makes what could have been a ridiculous character entirely believable. Few actors could have us rooting for someone who is so brutal at times.

Emily Mortimer – who plays the policewoman investigating the violence – is also excellent.

This film raises countless questions about the state of society, what should be done with unruly youths and whether or not the police are doing enough to help communities.

But more than anything else it is simply horrific and thrilling in equal measure.

Edward Gleave saw Harry Brown at Odeon in Parc Tawe.