Prisoner’s Daughter Review
Prisoner’s Daughter (2022) Movie reviewor movie run by Catherine Hardwickewritten by Mark Bacci and playing Kate Beckinsale, Brian Cox, Christopher Convery, Tyson Ritter, Ernie Hudson, Yonel Dorelis, Sarah Anderson, Maynard Bagang, Eileen Rene Proudhon, Jon Huertas, Jay Clay, Mark Kubr, Judy Lay, Steven Littles, Gavin Lopes AND Khalid Freeman.
Catherine Hardwicke’s new film, The prisoner’s daughter, is a moving drama featuring one of the best actors working today, Brian Cox, as Max, a “negotiator” who served many years in prison for his misdeeds. When the film focuses on the relationship between Max and his estranged daughter, Maxine (Kate Beckinsale), there is a genuine realism to be found in the film that is further enhanced by Cox and Beckinsale’s stellar performances. Mark Bacci’s apt script for the new picture occasionally treads on familiar dramatic ground, but the acting elevates the material beyond what might have first appeared on the page.
Maxine is juggling two jobs when we meet her. She is raising her son, Ezra (Christopher Convery) and doing her best to be a good mother. Ezra gets into trouble at school with some bullies and gets suspended as a result. But that’s the least of Maxine’s problems. Ezra’s father (Tyson Ritter) is a loser who comes to the bar where Maxine works and ends up causing trouble which ends up getting Maxine fired. Maxine needs money for Ezra’s medication, and when her father, Max, calls, an opportunity arises that would raise the money needed to pay the bills. One problem though: Max will be released from prison and will have to live with Maxine for her to get the money. Another issue is that Ezra doesn’t know Max at all. Maxine plans to tell Ezra that Max is her uncle, but the truth somehow comes out.
Max is a well written character. He has many friends outside and in prison. He has had a violent past but doesn’t have long to live and is terminally ill. His interaction with Maxine and Ezra means everything to him. Can Max change his ways and be the parent and grandfather he believes he is capable of being? Hardwicke doesn’t leave much doubt in the audience’s mind that Max is a good person beneath his tough exterior and troubled past, but the film keeps us watching thanks to the excellent work of screen veteran Cox.
Ernie Hudson serves as Hank, a friend of Max’s who runs a gym and begins teaching Ezra how to defend himself through boxing classes. Hudson is solid in his supporting turn in the film and proves himself a very capable character actor. It’s Ritter, though, who does the best work in the supporting cast as a violent addict who longs to see his son, Ezra, and doesn’t know how to be an understanding father. When Ritter’s character shows up at Ezra’s birthday party, he causes a ruckus, and it becomes clear that Max will have to step in to ensure that Maxine and Ezra have a life free of violence and messy unpredictability.
There’s a scene where Max helps his daughter get an administrative job, and Beckinsale is perfect in the interview scene playing a character who is finally having something good happen to her after all her trials and tribulations. Beckinsale hasn’t been this good in a long time and has some strong scenes opposite Cox that are sometimes challenging to watch and others heartwarming. A sequence where Max takes a break and goes swimming with his daughter and grandson seems like it could be silly, but it plays well thanks to great work from the performers involved.
Christopher Convery is also very good as Ezra and starts the film as a timid character, but Ezra becomes much stronger as the film progresses. Convery captures his character’s transformation seamlessly on screen. Convery and Cox’s scenes together are almost as good as Cox’s scenes with the seasoned Beckinsale, which should give you an idea of how strong Convery’s work is.
While the history of The prisoner’s daughter it’s probably been said before, watching Cox perform is always a treat. Cox has always played the roles of parents to perfection since his amazing work The 25th hour in 2002. Cox adds a lot of depth to his character in the new film, and the family construct the film presents is deeply moving. Hardwicke’s picture may ultimately feel a bit clichéd at times, but it also feels true to life at times and is worth seeing thanks to the powerful authenticity the film presents, indeed, thanks to its strong performance. It’s a good picture.
ASSESSMENT: 7.5/10
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