Frank (Brian Cox) is a lifer - an old man in jail for life; a concept that he’s okay with… until now. He gets a letter informing him that his much loved daughter is critically ill after an overdose. Frank's got to see her, and plots a jail break.
He recruits Drake (Joseph Fiennes), Brodie (Liam Cunningham) and Viv (Seu Jorge) for a daring escape. But can they pull it off under the nose of vengeful top con Rizza (Lewis)?
I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
The institution at the center of this film is a decaying old-school prison with heavy keys and paint flaking off the bars, and seemingly run by the ginger mafia. There’s no bullet-proof glass or high-tech surveillance here, just the same elements and familiar archetypes that made The Shawshank Redemption and even The Great Escape, well, great.
Part-funded by the Irish lottery board, this production is far from a blockbuster – and the classy cast revels in a chance to play characters rather than market-tested cutouts. Brian Cox is especially good as the heart of the film in playing a grim and long-dormant lifer who is only stung into action by family tragedy. Joseph Fiennes, Liam Cunningham, Seu Jorge round out the other plotters while Dominic Cooper is perfect as fresh meat for the prison grinder.
Debut director Rupert Wyatt uses a cut-up style that blends the prisoners’ plotting with the escape itself. The resulting kinetic mash-up keeps the story crackling along and reveals just enough to heighten tension but also to keep surprises coming. And there’s no bigger surprise than the satisfying ending that owes more to metaphysics than wooden horses.
By Matt Nippert, Flicks.co.nz
The first time i saw this movie is really outstanding....with briliant actor Brian Cox(most outstanding performance in this movie, in the sense i really like it)...and the other characters also!!!
Saw this at the film festival and loved it.
This is a highly recommended thriller.
At last, a British crime movie that’s as good as its pitch sounds: Brian Cox trying to break out of prison. Do you need to know any more to want to see it?
All of this mayhem keeps us watching, but it would be hard to describe the experience as pleasurable.
It makes for an unexpectedly welcome form of dramatic escape: the character study breaking free from a hoary old movie genre.
Shapes a standard prison-break drama into a metaphysical study of freedom and reparation.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 28th May 2009.
Release date: May 28th 2009.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
