The 'Not-So-Critical' Critic:
on NO ESCAPE (2015, 103 minutes, R)
Remember a guy who started out quietly in the movie industry, made a splash in BEHIND ENEMY LINES with Gene Hackman, and then big as a comedic actor? Sounds familiar, right? Part of the Wilson brothers… no, not the singin’ sisters--I'm thinking Owen Wilson, who still has a little spunk as an action / drama star after doing that long laundry list of comedies – ZOOLANDER, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, THE INTERNSHIP, HALL PASS, WEDDING CRASHERS, ZOOLANDER, SHANGHAI NOON, MEET THE PARENTS… whoo… etc... that takes care of that. NO ESCAPE didn’t make the biggest blip on the ‘critic's radar’ but is one exciting and traumatic ride. Wilson plays a father sent overseas with his family for his job but finds himself trapped in country while a coup erupts.
Writer-Director John Erick Dowdle takes all the things that could possibly go wrong while sent out of the country and puts this family through every trial. And, I don’t mean the frilly wine tasting and cheese eating fun, this isn’t Paris… too soon?... But wait; he then throws in the charismatic Pierce Brosnan as the quick-thinking Brit sent over to work with the previous government to help them survive. I wish he would receive greater recognition for these costarring action roles over these past few years. Liam Neeson gained major notoriety as an aged action hero, but Brosnan is crushing these parts lately, and not a word. He is never a bad addition to these castings.
The wife and children to Jack Dwyer (Lake Bell, Sterling Jerins, and Claire Geare respectively) were also great casting choices as they made you attached to their dilemma in a way that invested you in their survival. You can see the turmoil and fear in their eyes as they must escape (and do) the unthinkable. (I think these child-actors may need a few rounds of therapy to fix any damage caused… yeah, that bad… or good, whichever.)
NO ESCAPE may not be on your ‘must-see’ list but I think this film is a great example of Wilson’s range and a check list of why to never leave the great ‘U. S. of A.’ without first checking the news.
Grade: B-
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