An English teacher turns criminal when his wife is imprisoned for a murder she did not commit in The Next Three Days, Paul Haggis’ remake of Pour Elle (2008).
John Brennan (Russell Crowe) lectures about Don Quixote’s determination while his own private hell unfolds. Wife Lara (Elizabeth Banks), imprisoned for a murder she did not commit, attempts suicide. John is raising their cute son (Ty Simpkins) on his own.
The Next Three Days is a procedural thriller/romance which at times parallels the frenetic pace of Crash (2008). Haggis, who writes and directs, uses flashbacks and flashforwards smoothly to weave an affecting human drama.
On the night when it all began three years ago, Lara has just had a horrible day at the office. She recalls screaming at her harpie boss over dinner that night with John and another couple. Should women work only for men? Does some primal survival instinct drive women to compete viciously with one another?
John and Lara’s intimacy is an escape from life as well as a celebration of their love. Yet a night of horrors awaits them.
Hours later, police pound on their door and swarm through the couple’s home, arresting Lara for the murder of her boss. A spot of the victim’s blood shows up on her trench coat. Lara is unable to explain this.
Haggis shows Crowe’s germ of an idea take root after Lara’s attempt to end her life. His wife has become his Dulcinea, the love he never stops believing in. With more screen time, Banks could have more fully developed the vaguely intriguing character.
Several actors who appear briefly make indelible impressions. Liam Neeson is a thin lipped, crusty ex-con who once broke out of jail. He even blogs about his experiences, which is how John finds him. Their furtive meeting in a Brooklyn coffee shop is enigmatic.
Brian Dennehy plays John’s father, a cold, distant man of few words. Dennehy evolves unexpectedly as the plot unfolds. Aisha Hinds and Jason Beghe are intriguing as a detective duo.
John’s plotting and preparation may dampen the psychological suspense for some. The film’s initial look at women betraying women is never quite fleshed out, although Olivia Wilde conjures a single mom’s schoolyard flirtation with the apparently single John.
Crowe is compelling as he develops his crazed plan. For a non-criminal, he doesn’t do too badly.
Fred Cavaye’s Pour Elle (Anything for Her), not widely available in the U.S., has been praised for the performances of Vincent Lindon and Diane Kruger.
The Next Three Days 2010 / PG-13 / 2 hours, 2 min
Cast Overview: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, Michael Buie, Moran Atias, Remy Nozik, Olivia Wilde, Brian Dennehy
Director: Paul Haggis
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Crime
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