The twist here is that the escape is shown right at the beginning as inmates Lenny (Fiennes), Brodie (Cunningham), Lacey (Cooper), Viv Batista (Jorge) and finally Frank (Cox) make a break for it through a hole that leads into the cavernous sewer system beneath the prison. Intercut with this is the arrival of Lacey, a young first-time offender who is made to share a cell with Frank.
As the backstory unfolds - intercut with further scenes of the escape itself - we learn just why these men are risking their lives for freedom. Frank, after receiving a letter saying his 20-year-old daughter is now a drug addict, is determined to see her again after 14 years inside. His carefully chosen crew includes bare-knuckle boxer Lenny and Viv, who cooks up and deals drugs to the other prisoners.
What impresses about The Escapist is the direction, in tandem with the superb photography and the extraordinary production design. Scenes like the mist-engulfed shower scene when Tony corners Lacey, are full of genuine menace, while the shots of the labyrinth rain-soaked tunnels border on the surreal.
A smartly directed thriller, The Escapist contains a heartfelt centre that packs a real emotional punch in the final reel. Boasting robust turns from the core cast, particularly from Cox.
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