With the lights dimming in the Savoy Screen 1 this afternoon a packed auditorium awaited the surprise film at the DIFF. I had no idea what it would be, nor was I particularly pushed in guessing. The production titles revealed the title: ‘The Escapist’. Disappointment at it not being Indiana Jones faded and the film proper began. Frank Perry (played by Brian Cox) is a lifer: in prison for the rest of his natural-born days. And he’s been perfectly willing to accept his fate until a letter arrives, his first in 14 years.
What unfolds in the following 99 minutes is a fresh take on the standard prison movie. I don’t wanna say too much about the actual way it works but Brian Cox is excellent in the titular role. I was surprised to see Joseph Fiennes as the muscles behind the escape. The last film I actually remember seeing him attached to was ‘Shakespeare in Love’. All said though, I’d thoroughly recommend seeing this when it’s released here in April.