He is a schoolteacher, he has a wife and a son, a beautiful family and a happy life, serious disagreements with his father, because of which they hardly talk, but this is not significant ... and suddenly everything changes one day, his wife is accused of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, three years of studying evidence and filing appeals do not lead to anything, and his wife is in hospital after a suicide attempt. Desperate step and desperate measures swirl into an exciting tangle of events, and with interest the action is filled with interesting plot twists.
The remake of the French film by Fred Cavaier at first seems to be reshot in the frame, only with a change of casting. Kawaie had Diana Kruger as the main highlight of the film, here the Hollywood production of Haggis is saturated with celebrities much more. Yes, Russell Crowe, as you would expect, is magnificent, does not lose in charisma and charm, while taking the image and presentation of his hero seriously. But it is impossible not to note separately the brilliant cameo of Liam Neeson at all, to beat in such a short time so brightly and spectacularly - not given to many, and the scene of their dialogue turned out to be perhaps the most entertaining moment in the film.
The Hollywood version, of course, complicated the concept, added explanations and played out the emphasis placed on the details of what is happening, rather than on the implementation of the plan. At the same time, the film added action and much more tense moments, exciting scenes and scattered small intrigues, in which the hero is always accompanied by luck. Indeed, in such a case as escaping from prison, brilliantly planned everything to the smallest detail and various variations, the brain always needs a considerable amount of luck.
The original was much simpler, here a fully twisted thriller, strong and tense, very smooth in its speed dynamics, even with an abundance of attention to every little thing: how to crack the lock with a ball, how to make the right key, and so on. Crowe’s hero gathers the necessary information, by trial and error, hones the final plan of action, does not give up even in the most desperate moments and strives with all his might to achieve the goal, doing everything for her – his wife, his family and his happy life. He stubbornly fights to every end, but at the same time does not appear to be some supergenius, but on the contrary, history clearly shows how such circumstances can bring a simple teacher to the most incredible actions and decisions.
As such, there are not many action scenes here, but in the rhythm of the film it is not felt. The story then builds riddles, making the audience also play police, then enthusiastically demonstrates the stages of preparation and development of the plan. Action without interruptions, covering a good scale and variety of places, weaves intrigue and immerses in what is happening.
A great thriller that will make the heart beat faster, and the time spent watching will fly by unnoticed. And even though not a little has been filmed about escapes from prison, this picture does not lose the features of originality, at the same time following the genre framework. A wonderful casting helps you to experience what is happening and feel feelings for the characters, but the process itself, like the story told, should be liked and cause positive emotions.
7 IS 10
Original