Originally a French thriller – 2008's 'Anything for Her' –this Hollywood version, while doing its best to deliver, falls short because it can’t quite decide if it’s a serious consideration of a man – Crowe – under stress or a romp about a potential prison break.

A Plethora of run-of-the-mill films on the Iraq war failed to hit the mark — until now.

REMEMBER George Bush? He’s the president of the United States and will be until he leaves office in January 2009.

Two knock-out performances from Jones and Sarandon – playing the parents of a son who has disappeared after returning from Iraq – and fine directing from Haggis - who covers the story without any messages or preaching – makes this a gripping and thoughtful drama.

Charlize Theron is the latest Hollywood star to call for US troops to leave Iraq.

Lester Piggott’s condition is not believed to be life-threatening as he recovers from a recurrence of a heart problem in a hospital in Switzerland.