The Escape (II) (2017) User Reviews

Confronts emotions rarely seen in film

[michael-kerrigan-526-124974 · 7/10 · 18 April 2019]

Let me start this review by saying I've never wanted children. I've never understood the societal pull for having children. Bearing in mind I'm a 48 year old man, this film gave me further confirmation that I've made the right life choice in that regard. What I loved about this film was that it confronted fears and actions rarely seen in film - that of a wife and mother needing more to life than simply giving and not taking. A wife who looks after her two children. A wife who looks after her husband. There must be more to life than being a wife and mother? Or indeed a husband and father. The Eacape was a morally complex and thought provoking film that's rarely seen - questioning the very idea of the norms of society. We all need structure. We all need love. But sometimes that's not enough. 7 out of ten.

1st class acting, story needed work.

[Havelock01 · 7/10 · 8 April 2019]

Wow, this an excellent portrayal of depression, and I'm sure it'll resonate with so many mothers/wives out there. It is so good, so realistic and recognisable, it was very difficult to watch at times. Gemma Arterton should be applauded for her work here.

Unfortunately I felt the narrative too simplistic and the ending unsatisfying. They've also gone for minimal dialogue, which whilst I'm sure some would argue you don't need as everything is written on their faces, I personally found it much too minimal.

In summary - amazing and moving portrayal of depression and helplessness in the acting, but ultimately a not wholly satisfying film to watch. 7/10

Most women don't have a choice

[WVfilmfem · 5/10 · 13 May 2018]

I related to this woman's role, as I lived it, but unlike the character in the film, I, and most other women, don't have the financial freedom to make such a choice. What we see in the film is pretty much a typical marriage with small children. The wife is unhappy and unfulfilled. The husband is pretty much oblivious to her emotional needs, while expecting sex on demand. The other aspect of this story is the abandonment of one's children. One could also argue that paired with that impossible decision is the fact that she has a comfortable home, a faithful husband who is a good provider. Many women stay just for the security. One could surmise the woman is just being selfish, not willing to make the marriage work. One could also argue she is very brave, but are the sacrifices worth it? The film doesn't make this clear in the end.

Is there a way out of a miserable marriage?

[venusstorm-831-350102 · 7/10 · 4 December 2019]

Having a model family and a high life status doesn't always make you happy. Because apparently having a happy relationship lies on the chemistry you have with the other person. And the chemistry here in this woman's marriage is certainly lacking. I feel even if she weren't depressed the lack of chemistry would make this marriage doomed. And yes not everyone is made for parenting and for those who don't have the right partner things can become unbearable. Is there a way out? Our heroine finds one. But not totally costless...

Slow but deep

[fscramo · 6/10 · 20 December 2018]

The Escape is a very slow movie. I believe this should be the first thing to keep in mind if you are going to watch it. On the other hand, it is an incredibly deep movie with a real focus on characters, feelings and emotions. You can actually feel the pain and the sorrow, and even if you do not agree with the choices of Tara, you canot avoid to suffer with her.

Not the best movie of the year, but for sure a good option to explore a little bit more the human nature of couples.

And?

[JaElm448 · 3/10 · 20 September 2018]

Went to see this yesterday with a friend who gets 2 for 1 on cinema tickets. Not my choice but I've been pleasantly surprised in the past by films I wouldn't have watched but for other's choices. Never posted a review before - however, after watching this I felt the need to inform others. Well acted? Yes. Well shot? Yes. Interesting story? No. I'm sorry, but this film is depressing. I've read other reviews suggesting a feminist agenda, but I saw it as a rather sad story about a person who doesn't know what she wants from life -whatever it is, it's not what she's got at the time. Even down to the last couple of minutes when she seems finally to have what she wants but realises it's still a daily routine and in addition she misses her children. I'm a woman. I've had children. I've been a stay at home Mum. I've felt like she feels, on occasion, but I could not feel any empathy with her as she didn't try to help herself other than to run away, when there are so many other options when you are as financially secure as she seems to be. The obvious one is to tell the husband he's surplus to requirements, find childcare and get a job. Or at least talk to someone - preferably a professional - about how you're feeling. 'Educating Rita' was much better...

...more than midlife crisis, when you want a completely new life

[bjarias · 7/10 · 19 June 2018]

..yea, spoilers I guess.. not lots to spoil..

..she's got a husband offering only unemotional sex (unsatisfying for her) .. and wants her to be only a homemaker in addition.. ..she wants more intellectual & personal challenges, and she's very depressed .. (to her, he's uncaring, distant, boorish, and selfish-in-bed)

..so she runs off (on a one-way ticket) to Paris.. ..picks up a guy in a museum ..right off has what looks like satisfying sex with him.. .. then next morning discovers he's married ...she's married.. he's married.. both have kids ..he tells her it's complicated with his wife.. she says get lost

..she's depressed (again).. and guilt-ridden (this time for real) ..while having a mental breakdown out on the street ..she meets an older woman that rescues, mentors, and tells her ..to change completely her life.. try changing it with him (the husband) ...and if that doesn't work.. then change it w/o him (hint)

..hubby goes to meet her.. they hug w/o saying a word.. ..look on her face says.. I'm sorry, but we're over.. and they travel back

..next scene, she's in her own personally-decorated flat .. (across from Trattoria Mondello in London).. ..getting ready, and goes out (like on a date?) ..she's forlorn upon hearing children playing in a park nearby.. ..(seeing as she must have given hers up by now.. she thinks of them) ..then she gathers her composure, turns with head up, and walks briskly away.. the end

..so it seems, this is much more than your average mid-life crisis.. ..in that she definitely doesn't want to be married to him anymore.. ..'and' apparently doesn't want custody of the kids either..

..all actors are okay in their roles.. no big challenges, but satisfying work ..kinda interesting 100 minutes.. she's by far the best part of the film..

..most of this genre of films are about the man walking out on the family.. ..here the young wife & mother.. not being able to cope any longer ..needs to 'escape' by herself.. and now awaits her new life

..hey.. it's the movies.. .

Not in the real world.

[minty100 · 4/10 · 15 May 2018]

I think EVERY mum feels like this at some point. I know I felt let there had to be more to me than just a mum. Life does get small, boring routine when you have a child(ten). It's just not everyone can afford to make a choice like that. A single mum can't just walk out on her life. Maybe change the title to "The Daydream of Escape" By the time she's in the park in Paris, I actually felt angry that she could be so selfish. All in all this film shows a woman who runs away in a fantasy, tries to forget who she was only to have a giant slap of reality across her face.

Subtle story of abuse and escape

[rykskelton · 7/10 · 26 June 2018]

A woman with an absolute ar*e of a husband gets up the courage to escape despite any emotional/maternal feeling she has left for her children. I applaud her courage. No one should live in a life where they are emotionally and physically abused, a life that makes them constantly depressed and feel worthless. Too many people take abuse and never get out of that situation. Gemma Arterton is a goddess, even when she is (very realistically) portraying someone who hates all aspects of her situation. For those viewers who say she should stay in that situation, shame on you - enablers are almost as guilty as the abuser.

Pretensious, boring but well-shot

[jan_wolf04 · 3/10 · 4 January 2019]

This movie is basically a hyperbolic perspective on everyday boredom mixed with some pocket philosophy on braking free from it. The dialogues are poorly written, all of the characters are self-absorbed and shallow and the best idea they could come up with for the grand escape is a superficial enamorment with medieval tapestry, eating pancakes in Paris or screwing a photographer. It's well shot though.

Great depiction of depression, feeling trapped and motherhood.

[happyhande · 9/10 · 28 August 2019]

If you're someone who doesn't understand the depths of depression then the main character may seem selfish, self indulgent and inconsiderate of her hard working husband and her children. To escape and leave as she does is less selfish than the alternative (suicide). This mother is feeling trapped and wants more from life. Her husband's attempts to make her feel better felt to me like it was more stifling, she can't breath and telling someone to "get over it" and "smile" just makes depression worse. When you're that down sometimes things like therapy aren't even an option you can come up with. Perhaps her husband did fail her in this regard. Those who felt the ending wasn't enough didn't pay attention enough.

*** SPOILERS*** The movie ends as it began. She is on her own. Puts on make up and walks out of an apartment.

This is not the same location/home we see throughout the movie. We see her final decision at the start and simply find out her reasons for it in the next hour and a half. She has chosen life and herself.

A powerful and moving film that shines a light on unfulfillment and the need for compassion

[zuluapache · 7/10 · 26 July 2020]

Shallow as I am, I don't normally watch films that score less than 6 on IMDb but what did strike me was the mismatch between critic and user reviews for this extremely well acted, occasionally uncomfortable and moving film. It essentially explores a failing marriage between a complex, unfulfilled and deeply unhappy woman and a dysfunctionally loving, essentially shallow and selfish man.

Dominic Cooper is excellent in a charismatic but unsympathetic role but the movie really belongs to Gemma Arterton, who is mesmerising in a clearly raw and challenging role and one that appears close to her heart. I've seen her in several TV and film roles, most recently in Summerland and the BBCs excellent short story lockdown set series Unprecedented and she never fails to impress, but does so particularly in this.

As a study of depression, absolute desperation, unfulfillment and a yearning for something more in a marriage that is breaking down, it will strike an uncomfortable chord with many people in troubled relationships. A sometimes difficult watch but well worth seeking out, particularly for the performances.

Slow, Boring, Shallow

[eternally_feral · 2/10 · 6 August 2020]

First, let me say those who are saying Tara is selfish for walking out on her kids, yes and no. Her husband is abusive and manipulative and she's reaching the point where she is getting aggressive with the kiddos (losing it over her book being moved).

Also, she didn't abandon them to the wolves. Her husband stayed and he has the job and money so serving him with a wake up call, kudos. Better than her going all Andrea Yates. For those who talk about single mothers in parallel to Tara, it's not the same, there's the husband. She left while he was home. She left knowing the kids are safe. She left before her depression and feelings of being overwhelmed put herself AND her kids lives in jeopardy.

And that's as much as I can really say about the movie and I'm shocked I can that much. The movie is slow as it tries to make it intense and reflective of the standstill of the characters lives but instead it just gives a lot of dead time that becomes stale quick.

Not sure how this has such favorable ratings but even with my brutal insomnia I found myself yawning uncontrollably - which is why I bumped this movie up from 1 stars to 2. Thanks for giving me a great substitute for my Lunesta!

Devoid of emotions, not depressed!

[nehatandon0019 · 7/10 · 19 June 2021]

I don't think the lady was depressed but was feeling empty inside. She was becoming a robot and it terrified her. "Having it all" is completely subjective and she felt trapped in what some people would call a perfect life.

If the protagonist was a man and had left his wife and kids...the reviews here would look different! Talk about double standards.

Many questions, no answers

[downbear · 6/10 · 17 February 2022]

For the first hour of the movie, I'm just waiting for Tara to leave home. Finally she does, and then I wait for her to do something. Anything. So many scenes in this movie, sometimes just one shot, raise questions and provide no answers. What is happening there? Where is she going? How will this end? Who knows? The only reason to watch is to see Gemma Arterton. She is beautiful. But she's in other movies which may be more worthwhile.

Slow and unconvincing

[willst01 · 2/10 · 15 August 2018]

It's a long slow haul. The dialogue appears to be improvised, which I imagine is supposed to make it sound realistic but instead adds to the overall tedium. I don't think the husband is a b*****d, he's just out of his depth. You'd think she would start by at least turning the radio on at home or watching a bit of TV in order to give herself a bit of company; She doesn't interact with any of the parents or teachers at the school, she just wallows in her own self pity and doesn't think to medical help. The Paris sequence is laughably unrealistic and the denouement leaves us guessing - not that I cared much by that stage. (Incidentally where is the garden square she wanders around at the beginning and end of the film? It doesn't appear to have any connection with the estate where they live.) Gemma Arterton suffers nobly but she's one of the executive producers, so she has to take a share of the blame for this unconvincing farrago.

Engaging if ultimately disappointing

[verna-a · 7/10 · 22 July 2022]

I became a parent quite late, comparatively speaking, and can attest that the unrelieved care of a small child is a massive assault on the nerves and a negation of one's identity. So I'm not without sympathy for the lead character in this movie. Its simply not for everyone, but some people don't realize this until it's too late. I note that there are a lot of reviewers who are unsympathetic (largely male I assume), chiefly expressing the same bafflement as the husband in the picture. Anyone who watches family history programs must be aware that parental desertions are quite common in real life. We praise the strength of the remaining parent, and consider the one that does the runner to be selfish and despicable. Yet I have to say that when Gemma Arterton's character takes off in this movie, I was cheering. I fully accept that she understood that she was unable to be a positive factor in her childrens' lives, and she was doing something that was essential to her survival. That's about the extent of my support as I found the balance of the movie disappointing. I would have liked to see her take some positive steps to build a new life, and to demonstrate some self insights and a path out of depression. But we don't get any of that, the best you can say is that she is maybe seeing a way to put guilt aside. There is a lot of powerful material here which certainly engages, however you want to judge the wife. To this extent I feel that it is underrated.

Dismal

[matthew-hall · 1/10 · 28 August 2018]

No story. Self indulgent. No dramatisation. Peopled by caricatures. Who put the money up for this movie?

Very good, for most of the movie

[petrelet · 6/10 · 25 May 2019]

This movie is said to be about an "ordinary woman" who makes an "extraordinary decision" that "changes her life forever", but I don't think that captures it. I would say that this movie does an excellent job depicting an ordinary woman in a bleak imprisoning life, who instinctively breaks free of it for a moment, but then .. what? Is her life changed forever? Does the movie deliver on this promise? (SPOILER ALERT) Not really at all.

But let's start off talking about what the movie does well. I think it is at its best in the pre-prison break portion, which is over half of the movie I believe, in which we see the wrenching despair of this woman (Tara, whose name we don't learn for ages) who is serving an eighteen-year sentence for the crimes of being a woman, in the wrong society, and having married the wrong guy for her, and having kids under the wrong circumstances.

Now, it's true that in many ways her life is better than a lot of women's. Her husband doesn't beat her yet (though I think he is working his way up to it), he has a decent job, she doesn't *have* to work outside the home, and she actually has day care for her two little kids. On the other hand, Mark clearly believes that doing any household chores is outside his job description, the sex is great and fast in his view but unrewarding in hers, he doesn't listen even when he thinks he is listening and insists on having "conversations" in which he explains that things are just fine as they are if she would stop acting like this. And she doesn't love her kids any more. To be honest, that little boy is a real pain.

I suppose anyone who wants to can go "actually, she didn't explore the following sensible ideas for improving her life, like marriage counseling, Netflix, and so on.") Netflix (or Prime) might be an idea, but is there a lot of affordable marriage counseling on offer under the Tory government, and would Mark really commit to it, and anyway that isn't the point! The point is that she is in a situation which she finds intolerable. The movie makes us understand her despair and hunger for escape, and so when she is pushed that one last inch ...

Well, that was the good part of the movie. After that, it is all downhill. Not just because a train ticket, even to Paris, doesn't really have magical powers to fix a serious life dilemma rooted in the whole social structure. No, it's mainly because it seems that writer/director Dominic Savage created such a deep and believable dilemma that he wrote himself into a corner from which he couldn't find an ending that would be palatable and honest all at once. So you have fragments of clichés and even a déesse ex machina at one point, who rescues Tara from the streets and provides a few sentences of wise advice that she could have gotten from the Internet for much less money, and at the end of the day we don't know how it works out. THE END.

Now, I grant that this is easier on the eyes than the naturalistic ending in which she would have been tracked down by the police, and become a "Monster Mum" scandal in the Mirror, and maybe thrown in a mental institution for some kind of supposed disorder, because what sane woman would ever act in such a manner. Maybe in fact .. possibly .. it is supposed to provoke this exact kind of reaction where we go "Oh, pshaw, it really should have ended like .. well, there really isn't a good way out is there" and then we try for a few seconds to think where we have gone wrong as a civilization. Maybe it is.

Ohhhh, Poor Baby!

[westsideschl · 2/10 · 8 September 2018]

Talk about a movie about a spoiled existence. Woman has beautiful home, loving husband, great kids, a great social life if she wants it, even small opportunities to be a positive influencer in her community, but she takes the easy way out and just shuts down. Then, of course, follows up with the next step seeking the easy/better fantasy across the tracks or wherever. Maybe she should try a bit of reality being a female in Afghanistan.

Daytime soap level acting & script.

All the close ups...

[jacklynebetty · 10/10 · 12 May 2018]

I have never watched anything this well directed for this type of context. Yes its about the 'typical' problems inherent in marriage but that's a very small part of it. For me, this film isn't just about that, it's more about, without generalising, how the character, the woman, the mother, the stay at home housewife, the dedicated family being, had to find herself again. What stands out throughout the film was that she was very much aware that she had lost something, that something wasn't right. You could see that from the very beginning. And what it comes down to is: Is it time to leave? (As opposed to: can I leave?)

What I believe should be the focus of principle here is that while there are various externalities that result in the making of a being as it is, marriage and it's societal demands of its participants have remain unchanged for a while. And In this film, Gemma was indeed tired of being the unappreciated housewife and sex doll of sorts. That's not a pleasant experience for anyone, I can imagine.

And so I rated this film a 10/10. The close ups are too real...nothing felt like acting to me while watching the film. It's real. It's real for someone.

Gives you something to think about

[hapcioglu · 7/10 · 29 April 2019]

Liked the movie, hated the characters. Hated Tara because of her selfishness and her shallowness (she wasn't interested in making it work, she didn't talk about it when her husband tried to and although she's expressed interest in art, she didn't do anything about it and her escape had nothing to do with art). Hated Mark because he missed so many marks earlier. Yes, he tried to talk to her and cheer her up but he should've felt something was wrong much earlier before obviously forcing his non-interested wife into sex.

I think most of the negative comments here are because people related to the situation and didn't like the feeling. I think it's a good morals subject to think about. As a sometimes melancholic person, I've feared being both in their shoes in life. What I reached is, although she's got points where she's absolutely right, Tara was very wrong in her actions. I would feel absolutely terrible if I were in Mark's shoes.

About the movie in general, I don't understand or like the recent trend of making the viewer figure out whatever that ending meant. The ending should've been clearer. I'd hoped her Paris adventure would've taught her how to be a functioning adult and do the right thing, but I'll never know.

WHY DIDN'T I ESCAPE FROM WATCHING THIS?

[MadamWarden · 1/10 · 12 April 2020]

Boring, painful, annoying, simpering and morally weak heroine. Hates her privileged life. Does nothing about it, says nothing. Abandons children. Has affair. Oh woe is me.

And the point of all this is?

OMFG

a nice portrayal of a mid-age married woman trapped in her life

[shanliogg-82946 · 7/10 · 3 May 2022]

If you are looking for shiny, glamorous portrayal and cliches, then go and watch a Hollywood film. It is a British film - it is subtle, messages are not delivered in exaggeration. Her life in London, so familiar - a middle class marriage where mother looks after two young children and dad seems to be making well at his career. A dream life right? No, she is bored to hell, feels depressed, guilt, hopelessness, just does not enjoy her life. Her husband means well but far from understanding her. She does not seem to have physical chemistry towards him, while he feels differently. This does not help either. The film is showing so many women's life - trapped in house, like a babysitter, shopper, housekeeper, and husband's sex needs meeter. Some people wrote here and on other site that film was cliche, its development and ending especially... I completely disagree, surprised with these reviews, since it is opposite to me - the film developed really well and did not end at all as cliche. And the ending is super. If you like indie films, this film will satisfy you. As a mid age woman, who never married but know so many women in my life and family who feel similarly trapped like her, I know what it means.. I can feel and understand. The film depicts these emotions really well without her obviously stating it. I think this film deserves better reviews. 7 is a good score for me - could be more arty, indie, in its script/direction, but it is a good film, not a waste of time.

Poor you

[Bill-412 · 2/10 · 21 October 2020]

Selfishness and immaturity are not bravery or self-development. Live the life you have chosen, stop complaining, force yourself to grow up and enjoy what you have. Self-awareness and meeting responsibilities you have taken on, such is life. She is age 30 but acts like she is half that old. Or less.

PS presumably when goes off to find herself, she is spending the husband's money, and without a conscience.

PS not sure who would pay to see in a theater