Directed by:
Paul HaggisCinematography:
Stéphane FontaineComposer:
Danny ElfmanCast:
Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Brian Dennehy, Lennie James, Olivia Wilde, Ty Simpkins, Helen Carey, Liam Neeson, Daniel Stern, Kevin Corrigan, Jason Beghe (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
Lara Brennan (Elizabeth Banks) is accused of murdering her boss after an altercation at work. Her college professor husband John Brennan (Russell Crowe) becomes obsessed with the idea of breaking her out of jail, and their son Luke ceases to acknowledge her during their prison visits. John consults Damon Pennington (Liam Neeson), a hardened criminal who has successfully escaped from prison seven times, after reading Damon's book on the subject. Damon advises John to study the prison, saying "any prison has a key". Damon also warns him that the initial escape from the prison will be easy, compared to avoiding capture after the escape. To that end, John must obtain false passports, new social security numbers, and a "truckload of cash" to have a chance of building a life elsewhere. Damon also suggests going to an unstable foreign country that is politically hostile to the United States, so that there would be no extradition or cooperation with United States authorities. John learns the city's plan for capturing escaped prisoners - 15 minutes after the escape, the police are to block the nearby roads, and that within 35 minutes, the block will extend to train stations and interstate toll stations, and that their descriptions will be at every airport and train station, though it may take longer for digital photos to be sent. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (10)
A spectacular mainstream ride that adapts one of Hollywood's most obnoxious clichés – everything must be happily resolved on several fronts at the last possible moment – in such a clever and fresh way that we really enjoy being swept away. In addition, Daddy Crowe is, as usual, an amazing driving force and Danny Elfman managed to compose another excellent soundtrack...
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Despite being a remake, it’s good. Because this role is just right for Crowe; Haggis keeps up the tempo and tension level in respectable waters, so the only complaint can be about the not so good chemistry between the central duo; the original is significantly superior in this respect. However, Haggis scores extra point for powerful emotional moments. Especially the silent interludes on the freeway... That got me more than anything has in a long time. The French version is more “intimate" (the relationship with the father and mainly with her brother is far more important) and overall better in the preparation phase, the American version again works better in the adrenaline parts. But why think about what is better/worse when in both cases these are primarily exceptional pictures.
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Paul Haggis seems to always focus on a topic where he is the strongest: social empathy, in this case, family. A very unique film, packed with emotions and very realistic scenes. The leading duo is phenomenal from beginning to the end. Some scenes are so realistic that make your blood freeze, surprisingly, usually adorned with fascinating dialogues. The preparation for the escape is captivating, but the real inferno only begins when it comes to a breaking point. Ironically, the film, with very little action, is much faster and more lively than most action flicks. A truly monstrous masterpiece, with an incredibly fucking cool, without a single flaw.
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A remake better than the original. That’s mainly because Haggis is much better at family tension than Cavayé. He succeeds mainly because the American family is much more accessible. The burden of the husband's fate is not almost existential, but instead is driven by a clear daddy motivation and offers more audience-appealing elements (the tennis ball tick, the bumpkey, the time press). My only criticism is towards the lack of more vigorous chasers (Quinn’s character is basically made for it!). Otherwise, it’s the best "escape" film since The Fugitive. 4 ½.
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A solid escape thriller consisting of two different parts. Russel’s wife is arrested and gets a life sentence for murder (that she committed / didn’t commit?) and he decides to set her free in an extra-judicial way. The first (longer) part is about the escape plan, the second is about the execution. The script is very good, because it doesn’t show all the cards during the planning stage and things become clear only during the execution, which is a very rare approach in similar films. The escape itself is very briskly an tensely shot, but unfortunately, after the WTF moment on the motorway, the film loses its pace and continues at half-speed till the end. The epilogue is unnecessary (and maybe also counterproductive), but regardless of the not fully satisfactory ending, the feeling of a “fine genre piece” remains. 7/10 PS: The poster made of photos is very cool!
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