The DVD Dissection: The Escapist
Posted by Chad Webb on 01.26.2010
A prison escape film where Joseph Fiennes fights WWE’s Sheamus. You know you want to click…
Brian Cox: Frank Perry
Damian Lewis: Rizza
Joseph Fiennes: Lenny Drake
Seu Jorge: Viv Batista
Liam Cunningham: Brodie
Dominic Cooper: James Lacey
Steven Mackintosh: Tony
Jack Walsh: Sikes
Stephen Farrelly: Two Ton
Directed By: Rupert Wyatt
Written By: Rupert Wyatt and Daniel Hardy
Theatrical Release Date: April 3, 2009
DVD Release Date: January 26, 2010
Running Time: 102 minutes
Not Rated
The Film
The Escapist is one of those films that is impossible to discuss without revealing spoilers, but I will do my best. Movie critics, no matter what they say or how much they try, can never be perfectly consistent with their views. The Escapist proved that in my case, at least this time. It involves an ending that will divide viewers. There is something of a twist, but whether or not it is earth-shattering is entirely up to you. Some will feel as if the rug was pulled from underneath their feet, whereas others will see it as a moment of beauty and grace. Landing firmly in the latter category, I can say that The Escapist is sizzling debut from Co-writer/Director Rupert Wyatt.
One of the reasons the conclusion is effective is the non-linear, double-narrative structure that Wyatt and co-writer Daniel Hardy employ. One is of the prison escape itself, and the other is of the planning that precedes it. Frank Perry (Brian Cox) is the man that organizes the escape. He is in prison for life, and seems to go about the daily mundane routine without putting up a fuss. One day, he receives a letter from his family, the first in 14 years. It says that his only daughter is a junkie, whose heart stopped twice following an overdose. He decides that he must get out to help her, but he cannot do it alone. He enlists a band of accomplices, each with a skill or attribute needed for the plan. They consist of his good friend Brodie (Liam Cunningham), the muscle Lenny Drake (Joseph Fiennes), and chemist Viv Batista (Seu Jorge). The layout is distracted by two men. One is Frank's new cell mate James Lacey (Dominic Cooper), and the other is Tony (Steven Mackintosh), a drug addict. Tony's brother is Rizza (Damian Lewis), the man who acts as a ruler of the inmates. Together, they must overcome the obstacles and find it within themselves to obtain freedom.
Rupert Wyatt and Daniel Hardy based The Escapist on An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, a short story about a confederate sympathizer, and it's exactly the type of tale that is better on paper than it is on screen, which is why they adjusted it properly here. The plot devices and/or story have inspired numerous other works in film and television from David Lynch to Futurama. It is a popular story, but one that can be manipulative if utilized in the wrong fashion. Wyatt and Hardy understand the flaws that could arise through the translation, and adjust accordingly. In this case, it does not strike me as out of left field, but appropriately bittersweet.
They are also conscious of the prison film genre, and how overcrowded with classics it is now. They go the extra mile to separate The Escapist from every other offering. This is not The Shawshank Redemption or The Grand Illusion and does not strive to be. It paves its own road and is cognizant of the fact that it will not win over everyone. It is not totally inventive as this prison holds similar characters that other movie prisons have, but the delivery is different, and that is the key. Wyatt's film is the encompassment of gritty, and moves at a brisker pace with the sounds of the environment swelled to the maximum for a unique effect. The pounding on cement, the wrapping of paper, and the cutting of fingers is all driven clearly into our heads.
The part of Frank Perry was written specifically for Brian Cox because, well, they really wanted him to be involved. Thankfully he agreed because his performance is profound and inherent. From the first frame, Cox has instilled a deep-rooted exhaustion to Frank, as if the world is always resting on his shoulders alone. Before his letter arrives, Frank trudges through his life without parole sentence like a zombie waiting for it all to end. The news of his daughter's problem causes him to unearth the buried compassion and amenability that was persistently trying to break free. Brian Cox is actor that I highly admire because he can do just about anything, appearing in almost 80 projects since 2000 alone. His love of character actors from the black and white film era helped him see his roles as having a beginning, middle, and end. He is the nucleus of The Escapist, and it is Cox's conveyance of humanity and our support of his goal that makes the story so immersive.
The weak link of the picture is Dominic Cooper's James Lacey, the "fresh fish" so to speak. His inclusion is basic and ordinary until the final act rolls around. Dominic Cooper is a strong actor, and does swimmingly, but the conflicts Lacey experiences could have been more intriguing than they were. Liam Cunningham is filled with conviction and earnestness as the loyal and honest Brodie, the first man to join Frank. They have an unspoken, but fervent bond that takes some emotional turns. Damien Lewis plays a sophisticated and reservedly cold villain as the leader of "The Cons." Frank and his friends end up in the rival half, "The Screws", but Lewis' Rizza is the guy no one defies. Lewis has an undeniably intimidating stare that serves him well as Rizza, the clean cut King of the prison. It's a fantastic portrayal that has just a twinge of exaggeration.
If Brian Cox was the highlight, Joseph Fiennes is not far behind. Fiennes is commonly typecast in period pieces and epic romances, but over his career he has shown bursts of his talent in The Great Raid and Enemy at the Gates. As Lenny Drake he slips into a character that is completely unlike anything we have seen him do. Lenny walks around in a tank top and hooded sweatshirt with the expression that he could snap at any moment. Fiennes is gripping and intense as one of the initially reluctant members of the group. He has a superb fight scene with Stephen Farrelly, also known as WWE Superstar Sheamus. Seu Jorge is understated and satisfactory as Viv Batista, the chemist and drug dealer of the prison. Steven Mackintosh is a main source of conflict as Tony, and as the brother of Rizza, he gets away with a great deal. Mackintosh is marvelous at balancing the drug addiction and “I can do anything” method of thinking.
Rupert Wyatt concentrates heavier on the mechanics of the escape than the characters involved, which is both a positive and a negative, but it does not discount the relevance of certain relationships. Along the way Wyatt crafts and supplies some eye-catching and entrancing shots. One of which displays a side view of the escapers as they crawl through a tunnel with the camera slowly pans back. Few shots transpire outside, which I prefer because it heightens the sense of stifling claustrophobia. This injects some necessary urgency to the proceedings. Wyatt keeps his film moving steadily, and does not let the camera sit and observe for too long or too often. He and Hardy also eliminate a warden figure as a hurdle, and the guards are minor worries. The structural design of the prison itself and the fellow inmates are more of a dilemma. This is a very suspense driven feature, and it maintains a consistent escalation from beginning to end, and the dual storylines augment that since they act like two separate roads that will eventually merge together.
Joe Walker’s pulsating job of editing gets our heart pumping while Benjamin Wallfisch’s searing score swells and harmonizes dexterously with the tension. The Escapist is effective and thrilling because it does not settle amongst other prison films. This is not about whether or not the inmates make it out because that’s been done countless times before. It is about rising above the pressures of incarceration and coming to grips with you own mortality. Coldplay has the superb title track during the closing credits, but it is Leonard Cohen’s “The Partisan”, which acts as bookends for the beginning and end that lures us in and casts a spell on the audience. We know immediately that Rupert Wyatt is a fast learner, and has a bright future.
The Video
The Escapist has a slightly washed-out picture quality to it that is a little more vibrant than say, The Book of Eli, which is extremely de-saturated of color. This is not a colorful film either though as the grays, tans, and mild greens are the primary colors you’ll see. This is not horribly grainy, but that gritty and semi-sandy appearance keeps with the fresh take and independent feel. Philipp Blaubach’s cinematography is suffocating, severe, and well managed. Overall, the transfer was fine, but you do have to take some things into account about the style while watching. This is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1.
The Audio
Even though this does not contain huge explosions or constant gunfire, the 11 member sound department does an amazing job of exuding all the minor details and subtle noise of a prison. The balance and clarity is exceptional and mesmerizing. The strong audio is emphasized to the viewer throughout the film. The dialogue is understandable, but the accents are quite thick at times. Still, my volume knob rested at a comfortable position. This has an English 5.1 audio track, as well as subtitles in English and Spanish.
The Packaging
The Escapist is distributed in a standard black keep case, but my purchase was at Blockbuster on used so I have the big “Blockbuster Exclusive” logo on top. From what I have seen online, the artwork is the same for the regular release as well. I believe it is the same as one of the posters. The menu screens are clips of the film and music in the background. They are easy to navigate.
The Extras
Deleted Scenes (8:28) – All of these sequences were cut for obvious reasons, most of them because they went on for too long and obstructed the flow Wyatt wanted. There is an extended version of the moment where Tony finds out about the prisoners plan. Another has a character apologizing to Batista, not Dave, Viv. The last is a scene of memories with James Lacey. The last was good, but didn’t need to be there.
The Making of “The Escapist” (13:31) – I think anywhere from 10-15 minutes is the requisite amount of time for “behind the scenes/making-of” featurettes. Be that as it may, I liked this because we got to hear what all the main characters favorite prison movies are. This starts out basic with Brian Cox and his involvement being the focus. Don’t watch this before the film because they talk about the ending in detail. The cast and crew also chat about the double narrative, the budget, the fast shooting schedule, and more.
Trailer (1:38) – This is a super short trailer that was out way before the film ever landed in theaters for like a week or whatever. It’s ok.
The Film: 8.0/10.0
The Video: 7.5/10.0
The Audio: 9.0/10.0
The Packaging: 7.5/10.0
The Extras: 7.0/10.0
The 411: The Escapist is not necessarily for avid fans of prison movies because some of those folks will expect it to fall into the grooves of all the previous films. This doesn’t do that at all, and being a fan of the genre, I appreciated the effort for individuality. The cast is fantastic with great performances from Brian Cox, Joseph Fiennes, and future Oscar nominee Sheamus. The Escapist is a movie to watch when you’re craving something unique and fast-paced. I dug the direction of rookie Rupert Wyatt, and felt his approach has all the room to grow. I sincerely hope he makes more films and gets his name out there. The DVD is about as plain at it can get. The technical specifications are standard, and the extras and mediocre, but fun for a little bit. The version I had included no commentary, but the official store release might have that, so keep your eyes peeled. This is not a great piece of work, but it is good, and gets a surefire recommendation.
