The Next Three Days

[baty]

Almost full house in a cold Swansea last night. Enjoyed the film but also felt it could have been cut to be a tighter film with more ambiguity at the end, it would then have you talking about or considering her guilt. Why are American films so intent on explaining everything? Still, as said above, I too found that I was holding my breath at times, but also thinking what an idiot at others.
8/10

Had not realised that this was a re-make and would now like to see it to compare.

[Ms Thrifty]

Yogi wrote:

Still tempted to seek out the original, does it benefit from having less well known leads and being less Hollywood?

I'd say if you were in the habit of watching foreign (particularly European) films, you would not consider the leads in the original less well-known. And from what I can recall at this remove, I found the original very un-French and unconvincing. But I'm sure you can rent it if, after reading the reviews, you'd still like to be able to compare the two.

[soonforgotten]

Islington Vue was pretty full and I had someone sitting next to me who actually told someone to "Be quiet" as they were making a lot of noise with their bags of food. She was not shy in telling him to shut up!

That was my friend. She gets really, really annoyed by people making noise during a screening. But even I was surprised when she told that guy off.

[ejwrank]

No problem from me that your friend told someone off, soonforgotten. I was just a bit surprised she was so brave. I told a young kid off for kicking my seat the last time I was at that Vue and he hurled such abuse at me -- I told him his mother would be proud but even that didn't shut him up!

I thought you and she were ideal cinema goers as you mentioned you'd eat your snack beforehand so as not to rustle during...almost complimented you on that but thought you'd think I was some mad woman.

[hdaniel82]

I really enjoyed this, I felt it had the right amount of suspense all the way through, and all those tense moments when they almost get caught had me and pxc on the edge of our seats!

9/10

[yogi]

Yogi wrote:

Still tempted to seek out the original, does it benefit from having less well known leads and being less Hollywood?

I'd say if you were in the habit of watching foreign (particularly European) films, you would not consider the leads in the original less well-known. And from what I can recall at this remove, I found the original very un-French and unconvincing. But I'm sure you can rent it if, after reading the reviews, you'd still like to be able to compare the two.

Thanks, I guess all actors have there own personal baggage from previous roles.

I found it hard to take Russell "Gladiator/Robin Hood" Crowe as an average joe who can't use a gun, but then again watching say Harrison Ford in something like Frantic, Witness or even The Fugitive I felt the characters peril and thought they may not prevail even though my head said otherwise, so maybe they are just better films and my problem is not with this films casting, but the movie as a whole.

[Ms Thrifty]

I do think the plot is implausible and for any film to overcome that, it needs to be fast-moving and to sweep you along (a la Unstoppable, for instance) so you don't have time to start thinking "Hang on, that doesn't make sense" etc. But Next 3 Days is also the kind of film with a lot of scene-setting and preparation (at least, the original was), which does allow you time to spot the plot-holes. And some films have such huge flaws in the credibililty department (e.g. I've Loved You So Long) that they're insurmountable.

Personally I would always prefer to see unknowns or at least, lesser-known actors but then most films would never get financed. I don't know what the answer is - maybe there isn't one - but for me any film with big-name actors starts on the back foot because they're so recognisable and familiar that it's hard to suspend disbelief. At least with indy films, even if you know the names and faces, it makes a refreshing change to see some different faces.

[elski]

Yogi wrote:

Still tempted to seek out the original, does it benefit from having less well known leads and being less Hollywood?

I'd say if you were in the habit of watching foreign (particularly European) films, you would not consider the leads in the original less well-known. And from what I can recall at this remove, I found the original very un-French and unconvincing. But I'm sure you can rent it if, after reading the reviews, you'd still like to be able to compare the two.

Thanks, I guess all actors have there own personal baggage from previous roles.

I found it hard to take Russell "Gladiator/Robin Hood" Crowe as an average joe who can't use a gun, but then again watching say Harrison Ford in something like Frantic, Witness or even The Fugitive I felt the characters peril and thought they may not prevail even though my head said otherwise, so maybe they are just better films and my problem is not with this films casting, but the movie as a whole.

I watch quite a few foreign & french films and can't remember recognizing the lead male from anything else. I also loved the original so much after the free screening I pa*d to see it a second time.

[Ms Thrifty]

Yes, you're right, Elski: I'd be pushed to name anything else in which I'd seen Vincent Lindon. And Diane Kruger is a special case, too!

[biggins]

Braved the deep snow and two bus journeys to get to Ocean Terminal last night to see this. Only about 40% full as so many obviously couldn't get through the snow.

Had not seen the original but this was well worth watching and we enjoyed it. I like Russell Crowe. Thought it a bit slow to start but soon got caught up in it and forgot about the weather outside. Nice comfy big seats and warm in the cinema.

8/10