Russell Crowe plays John Brennan, a community college literature teacher who has the perfect life: a wonderful relationship with his beautiful wife, Lara (Elizabeth Banks), a young son, Luke (Ty Simpkins), an extended family that shows no signs of dysfunction. He is a truly happy man until his wife is arrested and convicted for a murder she didn't commit. Through a rapid fire series of unintentional and accidentally arranged evidence, she is inextricably tied to the brutal murder of her boss. All hope is lost with no cause for appeal or reprieve. Not only has John and his son lost wife and mother, but she is suicidal. A new man of resolve emerges to deal with this hopeless situation where others might accept their fate and sorrowfully move on.
John starts with research on major points of jail busting, interviewing a master prison escape artist, Damon Pennington (Liam Neeson). He learns that he must change who he is to his very core principles, risking everything to attain his wife's freedom. This is the most intriguing aspect of the film -- a mild mannered man's transformation. His minutely detalied plans may be thwarted by the police at any point, due to their own expertise, his mistakes and unforeseen changes in circumstances. That leads to thrilling, fast paced tension
I love John Brennan because he is such a devoted husband and father. Neither during the good nor the hard times of his marriage does he ever see any woman as a sexual object or potential mate. What a guy! I love John Brennan for his single mindedness of purpose even at the expense of his well ordered life, all his possessions, and possibly his or others' lives. I thrill at watching John Brennan under pressure -- his resourcefulness is awe inspiring.
In short,. this is a compelling love story propelled into an escape film about people we want to see overcome their insurmountable problems. The audience wants John to to win, but can't imagine him being able to do so. Still his solutions are not too far fetched to snap disbelief, just nerves. The theater floors will be strewn ankle deep in popcorn by the time this film concludes.
Note: Unfortunately, we only see Liam Neeson for one short scene. The commercials and trailers are misleading -- Neeson's part is larger than a cameo, but smaller than we'd all like to see.
The Next Three Days
Director: Paul Haggis
Writers: Paul Haggis, Fred Cavaye, Guillaume Lemans
Cast: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, Brian Dennehy Michael Buie, Moran Atias, Remy Nozik, Jason Beghe, Ty Simpkins, Olivia Wilde
Time: 122 min.
Opens November 19
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