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 (5)
Plots(1)
Paul Haggis writes and directs this American remake of the 2008 French crime thriller Anything for Her. Literature professor John Brennan (Russell Crowe) and his wife Lara (Elizabeth Banks) have a good life, a happy marriage and an adored three-year-old son. But the idyll is shattered when Lara is arrested for a murder she insists she did not commit. For the first three years of her sentence, John struggles to keep his career and family together while pursuing every possible avenue available to him to prove Lara's innocence. When their final appeal is rejected and Lara becomes suicidal, John decides to take the law into his own hands. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
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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... ()
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. ()
Although I believe that skipping the very end would be possible because it doesn't add that much, the film is otherwise very good, albeit slightly drawn out. The desire to be with his wife again, to keep the family complete, is so strong that Russell's character will do basically anything to make it happen. The scene on the highway is well shot, but there are more. Good story. ()
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. ()
A very thrilling civilian thriller with an ending that irons out all moral dilemmas and doubts to the detriment of the whole. Russell Crowe is beginning to find himself in the roles of overweight intellectual gladiators. And he's definitely doing better than the dashing outlaws. Overall, a pleasant surprise that will not disappoint fans of "escape" movies. If it wasn't for that excessive schematic ending, I'd give it a clean four stars, so I'm pointing out that on star is a little less than full. ()
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