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A remake of the 2007 French Film, "Anything For Her", this prison-break themed thriller
often feels like a modern-day Shawshank Redemption, and in other scenes, a poorman's "Prison Break",
which is ironic, as Prison Break was a TV show with a far smaller budget. Russell Crowe
stars as John Brennan - a mild-mannered school teacher who is adjusting to life with his
young son after his wife is arrested, and sent to jail on *** charges. As is the
norm in prison movies, John's wife, Lara, played by a curiously mis-cast Elizabeth Banks,
vehemently denies the charges, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Although
the film lacks a crucial scene before the *** where we really connect with the characters,
or sympathize with their family dynamic, it is evident that John wishes to bring his family
back together, even if it kills him. When Lara's last appeal is denied, John decides
to take matters into his own hands. The middle-act of the film then plays out eerily similar
to "Prison Break" - a smart man with no history of violence or crime, takes it upon himself
to learn everything about the prison, it's schedules, and most importantly, it's weak-points,
in hopes of breaking his loved one of it. As we're witness to one man's struggle to
support his family, maintain his job, while simultaneously spending his nights in back-alleys
securing forged passports... "The Next Three Days" really shines. It's an excitingly exanimation
of John's determination and stubbornness, even willing to rob drug dealers at gun-point
for extra spending money. It is however in the climatic final act where the movie begins
to falter. Moved to a life of crime, deception, and lies, it becomes increasingly difficult
to root for our protagonist who rarely shows any sense of regret or guilt over the terrible
actions he feels he's forced to take to save his wife. The attempted break-out scenes themselves
are intense, emotional, and nail-biting... but rely too heavily on coincidences, and
eventually over-stay their welcome. Sporting his best American accent, Crowe does rather
serviceable job in the lead role, but the supporting cast around him is mostly forgettable,
with great actors like Daniel Stern, Liam Neeson, and Olivia Wilde merely reduced to
cameo-like roles. Banks is convincing, if out-of-place as Lara... who seems perfectly
content with her new life in prison, and rather unappreciative of John's escape-plans. Similarly
to the legendary Shawshank Redemption, this film is about John, taking justice in his
own hands, forced to travel through a metaphorical river of *** to save his wife... unfortunately
though, I'm not certain he comes out clean on the other side. "The Next Three Days",
a "Thrilling examination of forced choices". Well, now that you've heard my review, let's
read some of yours.
Time to rate "The Next Three Days" on the rate-o-matic... a COOL and a GREAT. With a
solid premise, good acting, and loads of suspense, this film is certainly worth watching, despite
it's flaws - I gave it a seven out of ten. Most of your reviews were positive, praising
the action and suspense, but mostly slighting it for being a bit unbelievable, you scored
it an eight out of ten.