Escapist, The

Aroview: This straight-up escape movie delivers all the thrills and spills of the durable prison genre, with old-timer Brian Cox hatching a master plan to breakout of a dingy British jail in time to see his ailing daughter.

First-time dir. Waytt stylishly calls the shots from within the sturdy confines of prison lore, allowing himself a few flourishes (stripped-back dialogue, an eccentric soundtrack) amidst the steady box checking. While not particularly engaging as a character piece, nor envelope pushing as a suspense piece, the film grabs you with its no-nonsense attitude, and aims to please with a satisfying break out sequence (which holds up, despite being revealed through disjointed flashbacks).

NZ International Film Festival 2008

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