The Next Three Days

Russell Crowe’s wife, Elizabeth Banks, is convicted of a crime she didn’t commit. Or did she? He works to get her out, and finally decides that a prison break is the only thing that will work. He’s an ordinary guy, at first, but he trains well and learns fast. I liked it that he made a lot of mistakes at first. I didn’t like it that, when he manages to get in, she at first refuses to go with him. What? What’ that about? I didn’t believe that for a second. The main area of tension was wondering if she really did do it. It will certainly occur to everyone that that might be the “surprise” that will leap out at you at the end. I won’t reveal it, but I will say that I’ll bet there was an alternative version shot, that probably didn’t play well in previews. There’s some good stuff here, but not really enough of it.