If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

I value film for exposing me to people, places, and situations that are beyond my ordinary life. I highly valued what I got in this film. Many reviews will tell you about the basic scenario: British boxer, drug addict, in Thailand gets thrown into local prison. He doesn't speak much of the language; being in prison means being in prison culture, gang culture, etc. This guy is screwed 10 different ways. The filmmakers achieved amazing feats of filming without giving themselves away; they also created the sound-space of a prison-frequent cacophony-and a prison in a foreign and sometimes alien culture. And the tattoos of the prisoners! Oh, did I mention violence?

Billy Moore kick-boxes and does drugs in Thailand. One lands him in a Thai prison, which appears worse than a Turkish prison. He represents his prison in a kick-box tournament and then gets out writes a book and makes a movie about it. That is it. Based on a true story. Acting was fine, I just didn't find the film entertaining about how one guy messed up his own life. Mostly prison scenes which don't appeal to me. Guide: sex and nudity.

The fact that this is a true story just gives me the shivers! Well played by Joe Cole, the directing and casting, top notch. I actually thought they were real prisoners until I found out that they all were ex-cons. The acting was that good. One of the few movies I didn't want to end! Very very good stuff.

This movie's visuals and acting we were done, at an Thai actual prison no less, but it was a bit thin on substance. I saw that it was based on a true story so I expected something truly exceptional to have happened, but I was ultimately a bit let down. Basically it's just what you'd expect if you've seen an episode of "Banged Up Abroad" in a third world country. Not the most interesting film but I suppose shocking if you're completely oblivious to how some poor parts of the world work. There are some good parts and characters that make it better than average.