Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
Question: What would you do for the person you loved if they were in trouble? To what length would you go to rescue them?
This morning I decided to watch my favorite kind of movie - a thriller. I know what it says above but this was a thriller through-and-through. The Next Three Days was sitting in my Netflix Instant Play queue for a while now and something made me choose this today. Russell Crowe stars in this film and Paul Haggis wrote and directed The Next Three Days. I think they both have made a decent movie or two before, right? Oh, I know - they are a couple of the best in their field and that is why I chose it.
Russell Crowe plays John Brennan, a devoted husband and father, whose wife is convicted and sent to prison for murdering her boss. The movie is not about proving her innocence or guilt or another elaborate courtroom drama. This film takes place after her appeals have been exhausted and the husband can no longer take that his wife, the mother of his child, will be in prison for the rest of her life. So he realizes he must do something to help her. No more of the story - you should know by now I don't like to divulge too much information especially when it is this type of story.
I will admit I wasn't expecting to like The Next Three Days and I really can't say why. It was just a hunch. Well, my hunch was wrong. From the first few minutes to the last heart-pounding thirty minutes this story kept me on the edge of my seat. I hate to use that expression because I really wasn't on the edge of my seat, but I did feel anxious and intrigued with the story. There were a couple of overly-dramatic details but I'll let it slide.
Russell Crowe really is a phenomenal actor and proved yet again he can take on any role. The love he had for his wife, the extreme desire to help and the overwhelming fear he held was front and center with his performance. Elizabeth Banks played his wife and, although I usually see her in comedic roles, she did a decent job in The Next Three Days.
One thing I found odd in this film was the lack or how little certain actors were used: Liam Neeson, Brian Dennehy and Daniel Stern. A couple of the them were only in one scene while one had very little dialogue. It was perplexing to see why these veteran actors were used so little but it wasn't my movie to cast. Just a detail to point out in The Next Three Days
I apologize for the short review but I hate to spoil stories and feel if I say more I will. Enjoy the movie.
My favorite thing: That I really was unsure of what the truth was regarding the murder.
My least favorite: One scene (over-dramatic) that brought the story out of credibility for a moment or two.
Rating: PG-13
Length: 122 minutes
Review: 6 out of 10
Click on film poster below to watch instantly:
3 comments:
I have the biggest crush on Liam Neeson! It really is too bad they didn't use him more..or Brian Dennehy for that matter.
Thanks Katy! I've been needing to find something worth watching on Netflix :)
@Jen - Yeah, wish they were in it more but over all still a good film.
@Dan - Adding to the list, yay :-)
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