The Escape

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.

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.

Granted the first 20 minutes is overly long explaining Tara's life and state of mind. The scene in the car park of the multiple mum's, with toddlers and shopping trollies was enough to do this! I also found some of the editing and photograpy a bit irksome e.g. some point of view shots. In the end though, I could relate to both characters and this is why I enjoyed it.

Gemma Arterton who plays Tara was great. Stripped of make-up, she was stark but utterly graceful. As W.B. Yeats would say "A terrible beauty is born."

For the record, this is my first review and I am not involved in the film in anyway!

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.

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