The thriller explores a story about Secret Service Agent Ethan Runner who discovers he’s dying and decides to retire in order to reconnect with his estranged family. But when the Secret Service offers him access to an experimental drug that could save his life in exchange for one last assignment, he soon finds himself trying to juggle his family, his mission, and the drug’s hallucinatory side-effects.
A dangerous international spy is determined to give up his high stakes life to finally build a closer relationship with his estranged wife and daughter, whom he’s previously kept at arm’s length to keep out of danger. But first, he must complete one last mission – even if it means juggling the two toughest assignments yet: hunting down the world’s most ruthless terrorist and looking after his teenage daughter for the first time in ten years, while his wife is out of town.
Some scenes were filmed in the new film studios of the Cité du Cinéma founded by Luc Besson in Saint-Denis in France. Also, some scenes were filmed in Belgrade, Serbia, among other places in front of Hotel Jugoslavija.
About the Story
Experienced CIA agent Ethan Renner works with a team to capture the Albino, lieutenant to an arms trafficker called the Wolf, as he is selling a dirty bomb to some terrorists. The Albino deduces the trap when he recognizes one of the agents, whom he kills. Renner is able to cripple the Albino by shooting him in the leg, but not capture him. Meanwhile, elite CIA assassin Vivi Delay, who has been personally assigned by the Director to kill the Wolf, monitors the operation and notices Renner has unknowingly seen the Wolf.
Renner is nearly disabled by an extreme cough, which is diagnosed as terminal brain cancer which has spread to his lungs. He is given only a few months to live, and will not see the next Christmas. For decades he has kept his dangerous career a carefully guarded secret from his wife Christine and daughter Zooey, at the cost of losing them. He decides to spend his remaining time trying to fix his relationship with his estranged daughter, and if possible, his ex-wife. He returns to Paris, where he and his family live separately, to find the African family of Jules is squatting in his apartment. He is told by the government that he is not permitted to evict indigent squatters until after the winter.
He makes an awkward reconnection with Christine and Zooey, and tells Christine of his terminal illness. She allows him to reconnect with Zooey, and when she has to go out of the country on business, she is forced to let him look after Zooey. Vivi recruits him to find and kill the Wolf, in exchange for an experimental drug that could extend his life significantly. Renner reluctantly accepts, to get more time with his family. Vivi tells him the way to trap the Wolf is by getting the Albino, in turn by getting his accountant, in turn by kidnapping the gang’s limousine driver.
All the while Renner is fighting the hallucinogenic effect of the medicine. His heart rate goes too high, which he can control only by consuming alcohol. He must also deal with Zooey’s school problems, including her habit of lying so she can sneak out partying. He manages to keep her out of trouble, and slowly reestablishes a father relationship with her, which impresses his wife.
He tracks the Wolf and the Albino into the subway, but they gain the upper hand when he is disabled by the hallucinations. The Albino attempts to kill him by pushing him in front of an oncoming train, but Renner manages to push the Albino on the track instead. The Wolf escapes.
The family is invited to a party thrown by Zooey’s boyfriend’s father, who happens to be the Wolf’s business partner. Renner manages to protect Christine and Zooey when the Wolf’s men start shooting; he kills them all. While the Wolf is trapped in an elevator, Renner breaks the cable, causing it to crash to the basement floor. The Wolf crawls out wounded, but Renner is again disabled and drops his gun where the Wolf can get it. Vivi kicks the gun back to Renner, telling him to finish the job and kill the Wolf, but he decides not to, because “I promised my wife I’d quit.” Vivi then kills the Wolf.
At last retired, Renner survives to Christmas, which he is spending at a beach house with Zooey and Christine. He discovers a small, red wrapped gift package, which contains another vial of the cancer medicine. Vivi is seen on a hill behind the house smiling as Renner opens the package.
Three Days to Kill
Directed by: McG
Starring: Kevin Costner, Amber Heard, Hailee Steinfeld, Connie Nielsen, Richard Sammel, Eriq Ebouaney
Screenplay by: Luc Besson, Adi Hasak
Production Design by: Jeremy Cassells, Sébastien Inizan
Cinematography by: Thierry Arbogast
Costume Design by: Olivier Beriot
Set Decoration by: Sébastien Inizan
Music by: Guillaume Roussel
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language.
Studio: Relativity Media
Release Date: February 21, 2014
Visits: 120
