Escape (2012)

Very disappointing...

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Whilst in possession of a film crew and at least two good Western actors and three good 'bad guy' local actors, all on location in Thailand, why didn't the director make a 1st rate movie about pirates, human trafficking and kidnapping, all topically relevant themes? My guess is that having turned up on location and finding a lead actress who seems she couldn't be bothered with it all and possibly on a limited budget and time scale, he just did the best he could and went home. This is no 'Apocalypse Now', it's just about 'adequate' as very light entertainment, possibly with financial backing from a 'faith group' as the movie's over done, religious message would suggest. What I find so disappointing, is that this could have been a great movie given the location and topic. In my view, it's such a pity that a great opportunity was missed.

This movie held my attention. I was browsing netflix looking for a decent movie for a quiet afternoon. It seems as if not too many people have seen this movie and it is worth watching. Anora Lyn was a bit lifeless at times and she could have shown some emotion as a woman just losing her child. C Thomas Howel as Paul was much better. The move opens with John Rhys Davis as Malcom being kidnapped. I thought he did a nice job of bringing out the character.The religious aspect took me by surprise but it was not overdone. There was a nice bit of action that added to the total effect of the movie. All in all a good movie. In spite of the bland acting of Anora Lyn as Joanne.

I watched this movie, streaming, on Netflix. I had searched for independent films, and the synopsis looked interesting. Overall, I was not disappointed, but it was not exactly what I expected. The lead male roles of Paul (C. Thomas Howell, The Amazing Spiderman) and Malcolm (John-Rhys Davies, Raider of the Lost Ark) were played convincingly by both actors, but the acting of Anory Lyn as Paul's wife, Joanne, was wooden and weak. The story tells of two men from very different walks of life, who are kidnapped by human traffickers in Thailand. Paul is a doctor, who, along with his wife, has come to Thailand after the loss of their daughter. Malcolm is a wealthy, retired executive, remarried after a failed first marriage. The music is superb, as is the cinematography and direction. But, this is not your usual kidnapping movie. What it is is a religious vehicle for Christianity, which turns out to be the focal point of the story. Despite the thinly-veiled proselytizing, Escape is still an enjoyable film with a message. But, it's probably more on the level of a made-for- TV movie, than a major box office production. Rainy day? Nothing else to do? Open your mind and your soul and enjoy it.

Anora Lyn playing Kim Jordan was not impressive. She did not convey the sense of passion and intimacy required in this role. As a doctor interacting with patients, a wife concerned about her husband and as a mother of a dead child, I did not feel the connections. There were many opportunities to immerse the viewer into the plot. The result was to defocus the viewer on the subplots of the religious elements and struggles of the captain as the main theme. This role requires the talent of a seasoned actress such as Meryl Streep. The complexity of the role was very challenging and perhaps better directing would have made a difference.