There’s many things to escape from in this world, and while a rote life may not seem like the most pressing situation, The Escape will explore just how crushing it can be.
Gemma Arterton stars as Tara, a wife left at home to care for the house and kids. The day-to-day responsibilities keep her busy but unfulfilled, and her seeping unhappiness eventually becomes too much to ignore. Women expect more nowadays, but it’s still not easy to throw out lingering gender roles. Moms are supposed to enjoy being moms, and when Tara isn’t given the space to be more, she’s left with a difficult decision.
I know that doesn’t sound like the most progressive scenario, but word is that writer/director Dominic Savage makes the familiar story into quite an empathetic deep dive. The film earned strong reviews from its festival run, with many noting its detailed take. Stretches are apparently pretty light on dialogue, leaving much to be communicated in more subtle ways.
That makes for a very interior lead character, for which Arterton received also high praise. Her career has stumbled around after her breakthrough in Quantum of Solace, with good performances in things like Byzantium and Their Finest being mixed in with duds like Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. A strong role could stabilize her career, and this just might be the film to do it.
The Escape is directed by Dominic Savage and stars Gemma Arterton, Dominic Cooper, and Frances Barber. It will be released in the US on May 11th, 2018 and in the UK on July 27th, 2018. For international release dates, click here.
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