The Next Three Days is exciting, clever and even romantic at times. It is about the determination of a husband who wants his son to have his mother back in his life. He wants his wife back in his life. Paul Haggis (director of Crash) gets solid performances from Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks, and while the plot is implausible and over-the-top, it pushes through and never looks back. The story builds and builds, and once the plan is put into action, it is a wild ride to the very end.
John and Laura Brennan (Crowe and Banks) are a married couple with a son. They seem relatively happy and enjoying the family life. That is until one morning their door is kicked in by the police and his wife is arrested and accused of murdering her boss. And no matter what others say or what the evidence shows, John believes she is innocent. After going through every court except the Supreme Court, John goes through great efforts to set his wife free. Even if that means breaking in and getting her out himself.
Crowe does an excellent job making you believe in him and what he is trying to do. When the plot gets a little too unbelievable, he brings it back to reality. He plays a caring father and a loving husband. A devoted husband for sure. In order to do the things he has to do to get his wife out of jail, he will have to become someone else. A man who only cares about one thing and one thing only, and letting nothing stand in his way.
Liam Neeson plays Damon Pennington, an author who writes about how to escape from prison because he used to do it. It is a small role but an important one. He gives John the information he needs to put his plan together. He also sends him the warning of once he starts, there is no going back. John has to be sure about his plans and be prepared if they fail.
I have to say it is nice to see Banks take on a role like this one. We know she is sexy and can be funny. But besides W., we have not seen a real dramatic side of Banks. And she is great as a mother and wife who has had her life stripped from her. And the life she has in jail is not one she can live with for 20 years. She is desperate while still trying to keep it together. But she is losing hope as every day passes. You cannot really blame John for risking his life to put his family back together.
The Next Three Days is thrilling, engaging, and dramatic. It is not conventional and that is not a bad thing. It has wonderful performances led by Crowe and a director that slowly puts pieces together in order to reveal the big picture at the end. And the movie does the same thing.
“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
Check out the SoBros Shop. Subscribe to our Patreon. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Listen on SoundCloud. Watch on YouTube.
