Escaping Dad (2017 TV Movie) User Reviews

Escaping Dad a.k.a Jenny Lopez's "Enough"

[KATO-SUBZERO · 7/10 · 23 July 2017]

23 July 2017: I remember when I was in college, I was a cinema major and one of my college professors told the class that there aren't any new ideas, every film or t.v show has been done at least once. All that has changed is a new twist on an old film idea.

He then made a good valid point of telling the class of an old 70's movie starring Clint Eastwood, "Play Misty For Me" in 1971 and then came a similar film with Michael Douglas, "Fatal Attraction" in 1987 and then African American version film with Martin Lawrence, "Thin Line Between Love and Hate" in 1996 all have one thing in common, after a 1 night stand, the woman will not stop and becomes a stalker.

So alone comes a pretty good made for t.v movie "Escaping Dad" which is very similar to beautiful and talented Jennifer Lopez in the movie "Enough" in 2002. By the way this version has actor Casper Van Dien's daughter in it and the abusive husband is just like the one in the film "Enough", but instead of wife/mother with one kid, in this version, it's mom and two kids. Husband is the same in both films, a well-established man in the town and has influence with the public. I liked Jenny Lopez's film more, but this one is not bad. 7 up.

Good on a budget

[jamiealexmoore · 5/10 · 4 May 2019]

The movie was good very interesting until you get to the end it seems as if they ran out of time and just hurried up with it as if they were late for lunch. The women I thought could have been more strong than timid especially if she is running from her hubby with her two kids.

A Nice Little Runaway Chase Flick.

[P3n-E-W1s3 · 6/10 · 6 February 2018]

This is the story of an abused wife, Erin (Mabrey) on the run from her violent husband, Darren (Wiles). As soon as he realises what's happening, she's picked up the children, Amy (Van Dien) and Charlie (Walken), and has hit the road on the way to the safety of her friend. Being the DA, Darren pulls a few strings and tells a few lies and has an Amber Alert put on his runaway family.

To be truthful, there's not much new in this story. However, it's well scripted and structured which helps to keep it interesting. There is a slight twist to the tale, though it feels like it's an add-on to make things more engaging. For me, this second story arc wasn't required as the story itself is fine. Along with the directing and acting you have a decent and above average TV Thriller.

The only thing in the story that's a little weak is Erin's steadfastness at not telling her daughter the truth. I can understand not letting her young son in on the awfulness of life and marriage but Amy is in her late teens and should be able to handle it. However, I did like that Amy still stuck by her mother, even though she hadn't been told the facts and constantly moaned about going home.

Even though Kohn doesn't add anything new to the direction of the movie, he still brings across a tension, which appears to creep through the film. It's always there, though at times it becomes more evident. He also uses light to subtly create atmosphere. For example, he adds lens flare and haze to make the day look brighter while the runaways are driving. While in the car there's the air of unease, especially on Erin's face.

In fact, Sunny Mabrey is brilliant in the portrayal of Erin. In most of her scenes, she has that air of nervousness. You can believe she's constantly worrying about what could happen... what will Darren do next to find her? How far will he go? Jason Wiles is good at adding menace to the film as Darren. He's a strong single-minded man who wants everything his way and will do anything to make that happen, and Wiles gets this across in every scene. Even the supporting cast get into their characterisations, there's a trucker who appears a little creepy and untrustworthy; his name is Trucker Pete and David Ury portrays this well, though he's only on screen a few seconds.

This is one of those TV Thrillers I'd watch again. It was enjoyable and passed an hour and a half so I didn't have to go out in the snow. So if it's a bad day or a lazy Sunday, then this film is a good way to spend your time.

correct

[Kirpianuscus · 5 August 2021]

The fair thing to say about this film is to define it as correct. It is just a puzzle with each piece in in right place. And, no doubts, that is a real, substacial good point. Not bad acting, few holes, a fist of unrealistic situations, a too idealistic end but , in essence, nothing bad. Yes, the idea is familiar and it was used in better manner but Sunny Mabrey, Jason Wiles,Trevor Donovan are more than decent in their roles and the script far to be awful.

Pretty good LMN Thriller! The title is the only part that doesn't jive!

[huggibear · 7/10 · 11 September 2017]

I thought the title wasn't appropriate, but overall this movie was really good. The movie wasn't about Dad, more than it was about an over-bearing, controlling and abusive 'Husband'. The couple was married 10-11 years, so I'm assuming the younger son was probably his, but not the older teenage daughter. So it was the daughter's stepdad and the son's real dad, but it was the wife who had been taking this man's abuse and not the children. Anyway, it was worthy of watching.

It's pretty good basically.....

[holeyfield-45926 · 4/10 · 7 May 2021]

But I'm soooo tired of LMN movies with teenagers who disrespect their mothers. Awful.

Better Than Average Lifetime Movie

[tomfsloan · 7/10 · 29 June 2020]

For one of the few times, I was not turned off by bad acting. They were all fine. The plot was ok but they really did not need a couple of gratuitous plot thickeners. Such as the cartel and boys insulin. Those were pointless plot parts. But that's minor, and rest was still good. I was particularly amused by what the boy unexpectedly said when the mother announced she had less than $300.

Male bashing Lifetime does it again.

[amwjobhunt · 1/10 · 17 December 2018]

👎Typical Lifetime movie. Why are men, fathers, and husbands constantly demonized? TV stations that target male viewers don't demonize wives, mothers, and women in general. A majority of those stations show good old action flicks or shows such as "Cops" which I enjoy as well. A woman can be empowered without demonizing a man. Thank you.

Fast paced and satisfying thriller

[phd_travel · 9/10 · 13 August 2017]

Although there have been quite a few abused wife on the run LMN movies, this one is better than average. The pace is fast and the escape is quite exciting with the way too efficient cops on their tails. The cast is likable.

Sunny Mabrey is quite believable and pretty as abused wife on the run from her A type cop turned DA abusive husband with her daughter and diabetic son. Grace Van Dien daughter of Casper plays an irritating brat older daughter who in turns stupidly leaking information on their whereabouts and uncooperative. Along comes trucker played by Trevor Donovan who helps drive them to safety.

The conclusion is quite feel good. Worth a watch.

awesome movie

[alysonlee-92234 · 6/10 · 7 September 2021]

The movie was good very interesting until you get to the top it seems as if they ran out of your time and just hurried up with it as if they were late for lunch. The ladies i assumed could are more strong than timid especially if she is running from her hubby together with her two kids.

From Hell to Paradise

[lavatch · 8/10 · 15 March 2020]

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.

Trevor Donovan to the rescue

[playmefunny · 10/10 · 16 April 2018]

Not the best title but whatever. Reminds me of sleeping with the enemy and Enough. Trevor Donovan reminds me of Brad Pitt from Thelma and Louise except he's the good guy instead of the rascal who screws the girl over. It's a fun movie and always fun to watch Trevor Donovan on screen.