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.

Brian Cox put's in a great performance. But Not enough to save the movie.

One dimensional a very predictable redemption story that needed a few more twists and turns. That only arrive in the closing moments.

Kate Beckinsale is good in the role to. Has a struggling single mum. To a boy who needs strength to find his place in the world. A role model not available from his junkie dad. Finds a role model hero in his newly realised from prison Grand father .

That is the level of cliches used this movie. It's is a shame It had the potential and the cast to be much better offering. Easy watch. Worth viewing for some good acting.

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.

Wow this little gem was surprisingly better than expected, especially my going into this with low expectations due to the poor critics reviews. I do understand the negativity, and it all boils down to amateur-quality filmmaking. Experienced director Catherine Hardwicke did a lousy job with this film in so many aspects. It felt like I was watching a B film by a newb amateur director that was made for TV. Hardwicke didn't bring out the best atmosphere in many scenes, nor the urgency or tension where it was required, and she surely failed in directing her cast effectively to bring out the best in her lead actors, but thankfully, they still managed to carry the entire film on their backs. A better director could've made this film stand out from all the rest.

Fairly-newb writer Mark Bacci didn't reinvent the wheel, but still managed to create a heart-warming and gut-wrenching screenplay about family dynamics. The pacing was a little slow, but the 100 min runtime flies by with the easy to follow narrative and the engaging performances. You will catch yourself cheering, smiling, even some laughs, and some tears will be shed along the way. It's a great story, and it was told well.

Beckinsale and Cox, as well as Convery as the young Ezra give outstanding and convincing performances with great chemistry between them. For that matter, all casting and performances were exceptional. Everyone knows Cox is an amazing actor especially from the Succession series, but Beckinsale is the one that really shines in this film because she actually has a role that allows her to show her full range - which impressed me a lot, an not just slicing and dicing vampires as she's know for in the Underworld franchise.

This is by far one of my favorite films this year, it's just too bad a better director wasn't tasked to bring out what this film could've been. It's certainly one of the better films that has heart and soul in it that I've seen in a very long time, especially one that isn't beefed up by Hollywood shoe-shine. It's a must-see from me, and I'll for sure be watching this one again with family and friends. Hopefully K-Beck gets some nominations for her compelling performance. It's a well deserved 9/10 from me.

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.