Next Three Days, The (3/8/2011)

Rated PG-13 for violence, drug material, language, some sexuality and thematic elements.

Starring Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks and Liam Neeson

Directed by Paul Haggis (In the Valley of Elah and Crash)

It’s not your average escape movie…its better.

Life seems perfect for John Brennan (Russell Crowe) until his wife, Lara (Elizabeth Banks), is arrested for a murder she says she didn’t commit. Three years into her sentence, John is struggling to hold his family together, raising their son and teaching at college while he pursues every means available to prove her innocence. With the rejection of their final appeal, Lara becomes suicidal and John decides there is only one possible, bearable solution: to break his wife out of prison. Refusing to be deterred by impossible odds or his own inexperience, John devises an elaborate escape plot and plunges into a dangerous and unfamiliar world, ultimately risking everything for the woman he loves.

And that’s the heart of this movie – a profound love that would make a community college professor turn into a man so desperate and so determined to free his unjustly jailed wife. It is that transition that we as an audience have to understand and believe. And to their credit, both Crowe and director Paul Haggis succeed in convincing us that this character can overcome all of the emotional, moral and physical hurdles – a hero’s journey indeed.

Crowe delivers a softer character than we are used to, he’s a father and caring husband who has exhausted all of his legal options. But he refuses to give up the fight for his wife’s freedom. The injustice of her incarceration gives us that “fire in the belly”, and takes the film into complex moral territory. (Is he right? What else should he do? See more below.) Elizabeth Banks works well with Crowe, especially once the escape plan kicks into action.

And there is plenty of action. It’s not the “let’s blow everything up” kind of action, it’s the intense-edge-of-your-seat kind that makes you need a nap when the credits roll.

The excitement is well managed and I especially like the fact that the cops are made out to be as smart as good cops really are, not donut munching buffoons. This movie worked on every level…and it takes place in PITTSBURGH!! It’s Theater Worthy.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
The PG-13 rating is mostly because of the violence. The language is typical PG-13 language and the thematic elements would be too much for younger viewers. I think most teens could see it without any issues.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: This is a morality tale that forces us as the audience to ask ourselves, “What would I do if I were in that situation?” Sure we may talk about how we’d do anything for our loved ones…but John carries it out. We admire him for his love and dedication; we watch the movie and hope we would have that kind of love for others and that others would have that kind of love for us.

Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: Where this gets a little messy for us as serious Christ-followers, is we believe that we should not break the law…even if the reason we are breaking the law is good and just. In Jesus’ day many of his casual followers were hoping he would lead a rebellion and end the oppression of Rome. In fact most Bible scholars believe the disciples had those same desires. In one meeting with the religious leaders, they asked if they should pay taxes to such a evil and corrupt government. And Jesus responded by saying, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

Later Romans 13, Paul writes:

1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

A: Well, I for one hope I never find myself in the position John found himself in. The thought of my wife, daughter or son being convicted of a crime they didn’t commit and sentenced to life in prison is overwhelming to me.

But I often find myself in situations where I am tempted to subvert authority and to do things my way. Whether it is speeding or cheating on taxes, we need to live above reproach and submit to our authorities.

We are called to know the rules/laws of our parents, teachers and government…and follow them.