Prisoner's Daughter

Bot lead actors, Kate Beckinsale and Brian Cox, have always been dear to me. So it was a no-brainer I would watch this. The story is straight forward, simple, yet easy to relate.

Beckinsale really shows she is not just a pretty face but a very skilled actress. She is very believable in her role as single mom of a great kid with epilepsy. I was impressed by her and will rate her performance a solid 9. Also Brian Cox filled his role as dying convict nicely. Their interaction felt true to life.

Family dramas like this are not for everyone. One can debate the entertainment value. It's more a very believable real-life story that can teach us some valuable lessons.

Everyone knows Brian Cox is an excellent actor, and holds an audience...but Kate Beckinsale? She was superb.

The whole cast was excellent. This was the most unlikely best movie of 2023 for me. Just heart-rending, and real.

It surprises me that people have criticised the script. It was very accurate, and portrayed how each character would have played out: the smart kid, the bullies, the drugged up ex, the angry daughter, the ex con. Also, life in Las Vegas. Lack of jobs, having to work multiple jobs, life without credit. Exhausting and - I don't know how they did it - Ms. Beckinsale looked exhausted!

I hope the actors get the credit they deserve, along with the Director.

Max (Brian Cox) is a prisoner dying from cancer. He can be given compassionate release if his daughter Maxine (Kate Beckinsale) is willing to take him in. She hates him for abandoning her to her unstable mother. She is a struggling single mom to Ezra who is being bullied at school. Her ex is a volatile drug addict.

This is directed by Catherine Hardwicke. The story is somewhat derivative. Everything feels a little flat. There is a lack of high intensity stake to the material. Max is dying which eliminates the largest possible stake for him. That is why the ending doesn't have the intended tension. Mostly, I like this for the greatness that is Brian Cox. Honestly, I didn't even recognize Kate Beckinsale. I thought she was a lesser known Latina actress. The actors are all doing good work. The writing is a little uneven, but it doesn't sink this for me.

This film is basically a showcase for Brian Cox and Kate Beckinsale. If it wasn't for their acting talent, this would have been torture to sit through. The story is basic and the dialouge can feel stilted more often than not. The plot devices used here are also as stale as a day old hot dog. Been there, seen it, got the movie ticket. I would like to mention that the only thing keeping me from rating this a 3 instead of a 2.5 is the ending. It didn't feel natural with the story and felt like a cop out for all the emotion the audience is asked to invest throughout.

Overall, you could do better and you could do worse. This film is very middle of the road entertainment, no matter how talented it's lead actors are. The material just never rises about mediocrity.

2.5 dirtbag dads out of 5.

I have to admit, I watched this because I fancy Kate Beckinsale so much, and she has never disappointed in her acting in any film I've watched.

With this film, dont expect an all action Hollywood run of the mill action blockbuster, its more of a thoughtful film with beautiful performances from Brian Cox and Kate Beckinsale, among others.

It will make you think about the characters lives, as well as your own, and is a refreshing change from the average fair from Hollywood.

A beautifully acted, well written, well directed little gem of a film, that is such a refreshing change.

Watch this, you won't be disappointed.