The Next Three Days

Russell Crowe plots the escape from prison of his wife Elizabeth Banks who has been gaoled for a murder of which he is convinced she is innocent.
'The Next Three Days' is a remake of 'Pour Elle' which I read was screened in Sydney a few months ago. I didn't see the French original which is well regarded. I have heard the original described as a taut psychological thriller It is perhaps unfortunate that the American remake, which has received a lukewarm response from the critics, has been distributed so soon after the first film.

Apparently the remake follows the original film reasonably closely yet it is almost a third longer than the original. I quite enjoyed the remake although it certainly felt a little long. Too much time is spent on the set-up and when at last the action gets underway it feels quite exciting although I did wonder that Crowe could get away with so much criminal behaviour without being observed.

The French original bears the English translated title of 'Anything for Her' which far better describes the story and makes a great deal more sense than the American title given that the story is told entirely in the past.