The Next Three Days (Blu-ray) Russell Crowe

In Paul Haggis’ “family thriller”, The Next Three Days, a remake of a 2008 French film “Pour Elle”, Russell Crowe plays a devoted husband, loving father, and (of all things) a teacher trying to spring his wife, a convicted murderer, from prison. As with so many other action/suspense films, the driving force that sustains one’s interest is “male goaling” — a man overcoming unbelievable obstacles, and, in this case, totally on his own for most of the struggle.
What could be more contradictory? An ethical man, a teacher of children, a loving husband, motivated to a “life of crime” not for money, but out of love and an overpowering instinct to do what is right. It’s certainly a premise with rich possibilities.