How far would you go to keep your family together?

Russell Crowe is an interesting actor. Take away his temper and the media scrutiny over it (yes we all have heard the telephone throwing incident, but come on, who wouldn't want to do that just once) and the man sure knows how to pick his movie roles. From playing Jeffrey Wingald who brought the tobacco industry to it's knees in "The Insider" to his ancient epic action/drama "Gladiator" to his Oscar winning role in "A Beautiful Mind," there is no way you can type cast this man. He is one of the best Australian exports to come from this country (yes I know he is from New Zealand, but hey we have claimed him now) and really the man is awesome, (and yes I am biased) Well Crowe is back for vengeance in Oscar Winner Paul Haggis' new film, "The Next Three Days," and let me tell you Crowe does not disappoint. But hey, before I tell you why, lets get to the film.

John Brennan (Crowe) is a family man with a gorgeous wife Lara (Elizabeth Banks), a young healthy 6 year old son Luke (Ty Simpkins) a home in Pittsburgh and a job as a literature professor. That is until one day this all comes crashing down, when police charge into his home and arrest his wife. Why may you ask? Well apparently someone has accused Lara of killing her boss. There is blood on her jacket, someone saw her leave the crime and her fingerprints are on the weapon, Did she do it? Can't tell you that. But one man believes she is innocent. After their appeal is rejected after three years of fighting, Russell is going to get his tough macho man act together and thinks of a way to bring his family back together. He is going to break Lara out of jail. That's right, out of a maximum security jail. With the help of Damon Pennington (Liam Neeson in a blink and you will miss him role) a man who has escaped jail seven times, he explains the process which is not going to be easy. What occurs next is how far a man will go to bring his family together. How far he is willing to put himself on the line and how far might be too far so that the plan does not fall apart.

Intrigued yet, you should be. This is one thriller that definitely worked and you know why? It is the result of a great screenplay, acting and directing. Coming off his work on Million Dollar Baby, Crash, Casino Royale, Paul Haggis is an Academy Award screenplay winner. His work is able to bring action hard and fast (see Casino Royale) or tug at the heart strings without being too sappy and predictable (see Million Dollar Baby, that movie still haunts me) Here he has decided to put both together. This is not a revenge flick. Or a man out to prove that he can hit a million people and feel macho, this is a ordinary everyday joe who is hell bent on keeping his family together at whatever cost. Haggis knows how to write emotionally charged humans as well as action and keeps the film going at a great pace that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. From the last hour, the movie really hits it's peak with intense action scenes and the final showdown (I'm not saying anymore) But Haggis really involves the audience in this story and makes you hope his plan comes together.

This is all brought together by excellent acting by his talented cast. Crowe has not been great in anything lately (in my opinion) but this is where he really shines. His portrayal of John makes you feel you could know a man like this. He is strong and tough, but sensitive and caring. He is a man who will do anything for his family and you believe that from the get go. He brings the love and strength needed to make us care enough about his plan and the desperation he has for his family. Crowe nearly has to carry this entire movie himself and does it well. Not once did I think, get off the screen Crowe your annoying me, but I gave a shit about John. I hoped his plan would come together. But let's not forget Elizabeth Banks as Lara. Elizabeth Banks is one actress I feel is truly underapprecaited. The girl can act and act well when she is given the right roles. We care about Lara, we want to know if she did it,. and we see her pain and anguish in nearly every scene she is in. It could happen to anyone and she proves this. We all need to be strong, but sometimes you do have to crack. The chemistry between Banks and Crowe works extremely well. If there was no connection this movie would have fell flat on its ass. We have to care about these two characters acting like a married couple, and we do.

Okay, here is what erked me a little about this movie. Don't get me wrong I really liked it (stay tuned for my rating) but firstly, putting a Russell Crowe song in one of the most pivotal scenes actually made me laugh when I shouldn't have. I know I shouldn't, but the song was not good, and really it must have been in his contract, because a million other songs would have made the scene impact more on me than it did. Russell love you as an actor, but please don't sing, and please don't put them in decent films. Secondly, the running time. This is a long movie. And could have been cut by at least 10 minutes. You will know where I mean when you see it. It's just one of those things, sometimes directors and editors really need to understand you don't need to drag a film along, you have the audience already. That 10 minutes more can actually do damage than good.

So here is my verdict. If you want a great thriller/drama definitely go check this out. If you want a full blown action movie, I hear the Rock has a new film that will fix that need up. The Next Three Days is a very adult thriller which we don't get to witness very often. It is a smart film. If you looking for a movie which incorporates a great screenplay, brought to life by excellent acting and thrilling adventure by a exteremly talented director, strap yourself in and get ready to see what will happen in the life of a couple in three days. 8/10