Starring : Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson
Rating :4/5
Russell Crowe is John Brennan, a community college teacher living a contented life with his wife Lara (Elizabeth Banks) and Luke, their three year old son. Lara is a working professional, although she has been facing flak on the job from her female boss. Their suburban lives are turned upside down when one day the police barge in and arrest hot-tempered Lara for murdering her boss. She is taken away and later convicted and incarcerated for life. John, of course, believes her innocent, but must let the law take its course since the police have conclusive proof. Lara is already depressed and pleading her innocence, but is moved to attempt suicide when she hears that she will be moved to a prison even farther away from her family. John, then, decides to attempt the unthinkable – try and jailbreak his wife.
Crowe is, as always, fantastic. As an English teacher forced to think like a criminal, he lives the part of a law-abiding, meticulous man nervous about crossing over to the other side. He procures a gun, mixes around with drug-dealers and the like, learns to “bump” locks and push people around – so far out of his professor-ish world that he is all nerves and racing heartbeat. But it might all be for nought, since he is racing against time and an astute detective . . .
Directed by Paul Haggis, director of “Crash” and writer of films like “Million dollar baby” and “Quantum of Solace”, this film could be considered a tad meticulous for a “thriller”, since it is a detailed account of everything John does to accomplish his goal. Still, it remains engrossing and engages the viewer by portraying the hero’s desperate plight and the extreme measures he is forced to take. It has action packed sequences, huge jumps in emotion, and presents one challenge after the next. Yes, John wants to get Lara out of jail, but he is one person against a city full of cops. There is no way his crazy plan could succeed, is there ?
This film is a very competent thriller, cerebral, yet high-octane. It is also beautifully paced and put-together. And it doesn’t hurt that it also has a very compelling storyline – a normal, law-abiding, bookish person pushed, by insurmountable odds and desperation, to commit a crime. One of the best films of the year, this one is highly recommend.
