Why did Frank escape?

He must have been close to the end of his sentence. An extra 25 plus whatever he had remaining can't have been worth it.

Still, great film. Must have bombed because it affirmed the value of men and fathers (or father figures) which Hollywood usually does its best to deride. Also Henry's first girlfriend didn't end up being the little tramp from Chigago? Strange.

And Toby Maguire completely unnecessary - why not just made the almost-adult Henry look a bit older? No way he'd change appearance that much from 17 or whatever to 30. Jarring considering the doppelganger they hired for young Brolin and getting almost adult Henry to look quite similar to 12 year old Henry.