One has to feel for Erin, the long-suffering wife of Darren in "Escaping Dad." For years, she has been a dedicated and successful mom, in spite of her abusive husband's attempt to make her and her children's lives miserable. After suffering a case of post-partum depression, Erin has made a good comeback only to be constantly tormented by Darren. Finally, she makes the decision to leave him, and the film becomes a road picture where Erin travels with the kids From Virginia to California.
Darren has to be one of more despicable men in the Lifetime Channel's pantheon of toxic males. Insanely jealous, Darren has kept Erin on a short leash and demanded an obedience and nearly puritanical demeanor that would shock any Victorian purist. He is also a corrupt cop, having worked on an illegal deal south of the border that feathered his nest and advanced his career to district attorney. Now, he finds himself running for Congress. To put it mildly, Erin will be disrupting his plans.
The film builds good tension in Erin's daring escape. She cleaned out the bank account and took with her incriminating evidence against Darren in his passport that reveals his travels to Mexico. Along the way, she has the extraordinary good fortune to meet the kind trucker named Wes. Erin and her two kids, Amy and little Charlie, will have free transportation across country, and Erin will fall in love with the mild-mannered Wes. The cross-country journey may be for Erin a trip from hell to paradise.
It would be impossible to find a greater contrast of characters in Darren and Wes. This was one of the reasons the film was successful. There was an interesting set of characters, including Erin's best friend Stacy, who has offered her and the kids a safe haven on her houseboat in San Diego. Wes is the bonus thrown into the package for Erin, who remains a rock of stability due to her resilience and her love for her children.
Darren has to be one of more despicable men in the Lifetime Channel's pantheon of toxic males. Insanely jealous, Darren has kept Erin on a short leash and demanded an obedience and nearly puritanical demeanor that would shock any Victorian purist. He is also a corrupt cop, having worked on an illegal deal south of the border that feathered his nest and advanced his career to district attorney. Now, he finds himself running for Congress. To put it mildly, Erin will be disrupting his plans.
The film builds good tension in Erin's daring escape. She cleaned out the bank account and took with her incriminating evidence against Darren in his passport that reveals his travels to Mexico. Along the way, she has the extraordinary good fortune to meet the kind trucker named Wes. Erin and her two kids, Amy and little Charlie, will have free transportation across country, and Erin will fall in love with the mild-mannered Wes. The cross-country journey may be for Erin a trip from hell to paradise.
It would be impossible to find a greater contrast of characters in Darren and Wes. This was one of the reasons the film was successful. There was an interesting set of characters, including Erin's best friend Stacy, who has offered her and the kids a safe haven on her houseboat in San Diego. Wes is the bonus thrown into the package for Erin, who remains a rock of stability due to her resilience and her love for her children.