The Next Three Days - film review

The Next Three Days 

Film Review

January 2011

An unusual and compelling thriller starring Russell Crowe.

At its core its an "common man thrown into uncommon circumstances" film.

Russell Crowe is a teacher, husband and father whose wife is falsely imprisoned for murdering her boss. His wife doesn't fare well in prison, becoming suicidal when all hope of an appeal is lost. Its at this point he realises drastic action is needed - to break his wife out of a high security prison and then escape into obscurity for ever.

So how does a school teacher go about this task? How would you? I won't spoil the story by explaining what happened but there are many twists and turns and it's not always clear if its all a grand plan or if he is winging it and making it up as he goes along.

The film is as believable as it is gripping, dragging you into an intricate plot with special effects kept to a minimum. Possibly the funniest line is a discussion between policemen who, having discovered that he is driving a Prius ask "what sort of criminal mastermind drives a Prius? One with a social conscience I suppose!"

In the end good triumphs over evil and the guy gets the gal, which is just the way it should be.

This is a surprise find and well worth a watch.