NO ESCAPE: A Surprising & Fulfilling Action Thriller

The first I heard of No Escape was in a radio interview with Lake Bell. I’d been a fan of hers for a while, and being still in awe of her performance in Man Up, I was enthralled by her explanation of why she had taken on an action film. She talked of how it was important to her to gain new experiences so she could learn more about herself and her craft. So when I eventually saw the trailer for No Escape, I was hooked into seeing it. That being said I still had my reservations, as Owen Wilson (her co-star) is not the most charismatic of actors. But in the end, I have to say, not only Bell but Wilson and the Dowdles (the filmmakers behind No Escape) really delivered.

Surprisingly Good

What is so surprising about No Escape is its script. It’s very sharp and slick. From the beginning, all the plot points are neatly doled out. As the audience, we learn that a coup is imminent in this Southeast Asian country, and that Jack Dwyer (Owen Wilson) is moving his family there for a job he has as a part of an American corporation. His wife is Annie (Lake Bell), and they have two daughters. They meet the enigmatic Hammond (Pierce Brosnan) at the airport, who will be important later, we have no doubt.

The next morning Jack, confused by the language and geography, finds himself in the middle of the violence that ensues. He panics and rushes back to his hotel. There, he sees his future work colleague yell loudly “I’m an American” before being shot by his attackers. The rest of the film is clear; because of who he is and where he comes from, Jack and his family are in danger, and Hammond is their knight in shining armour. Never has a film’s message and plot been hammered out so quickly and accurately.

People underestimate films which are so simple in their plots. I, on the other hand, think it is a breath of fresh air to be confronted with a story so straightforward. The Dowdles have written about something familiar and seemingly possible, but with no desire to show off or get preachy about world politics. And this is something that director John Erick Dowdle does a superb job of following through on.

Wilson & Bell

Why this film works on a greater level than others is that in casting non-action stars Owen Wilson and Lake Bell, we experience this film through the eyes and bodies of ‘normal’ people. Jack and Annie don’t know how to climb down buildings and bust through windows. And their trepidation only adds to their vulnerability.

While Owen Wilson is not the most charismatic of actors, his discomfort in being in such a fast paced environment is actually what makes Jack such a believable character, although Wilson does fall short of us truly sympathising with him. Lake Bell, on the other hand, is quite extraordinary. Known for being something of a quirky, indie actress, Bell really shows off her acting chops here. Annie is confused and pained and she grips onto her daughters with all the urgency of a mother, but she is absolutely never a damsel in distress. It is a nice change of pace for a woman in an action thriller.

I’ll warn you right now: there is a scene where Annie is attacked, and with sexual motivation. I’m not a great supporter of these kinds of scenes in films. But, even I feel it was a logical part of the action. It’s a scene which the Dowdles made sensibly and with great empathy towards their character. I still could have done without it, but I’ll admit I appreciated John Erick Dowdle’s direction for showing what is rare on the cinema screen, a woman in such an awful situation displaying such strength. Lake Bell really has a lot to give as a dramatic actress, and this film shows it.

Americans Vs. The World

What’s great about No Escape is that it’s not biased, and it doesn’t want to drive home any idea that the Americans are innocent and the coup vigilantes are the scum of the earth. Yes, the Dwyers didn’t ask for this and the people who are hunting them are terrifying to say the least. But this story feels more about the threat America poses to other countries. Angry people will lash out at whoever they can relate to their enemy, and in many countries the grip on peace is tenuous.

Hammond, as the mysterious Brit, is our informant. He defines and elaborates on the situation (Jack’s company has taken advantage of the country, financially), so this is never just all mindless violence in some backward country. It’s a bonus that Brosnan’s performance is on point. Not only does he pull off the action scenes but he is every bit the compelling, c*cky Brit. He is the light relief, and his decisiveness serves as a compelling counterpoint to Wilson’s atmosphere of confusion.

Conclusion

If I could say anything bad about No Escape it would be that occasionally the little girls annoyed me, and I didn’t find Owen Wilson that believable. But that’s about it. This film is simple, it’s gripping and it tells a pretty convincing story. While it may not entertain you on the level of some bigger and ballsier action films, it does exactly what it says on the box, and in this day and age of scrambled scripts and confused publicity campaigns that comes as a delightful relief.

Have you seen No Escape? Let us know what you thought.

No Escape is still on release in UK & US cinemas, for the release dates in your country check here.

(top image source: The Weinstein Company)