Sundance Preview: The Escapist

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on January 17, 2008

The Escapist is a film that not a lot of people seem to be talking about, but I am very much looking forward to. As you will see from the synopsis below, Brian Cox stars as a man serving out a life sentence in prison. When his only daughter becomes critically ill, he devises a plot to escape. The film has a pretty awesome cast and it has relative newcomer Rupert Wyatt in the director’s chair. Check the details below, along with 10 photos from the film.

Directed by: Rupert Wyatt

Cast: Brian Cox (The Bourne Supremacy), Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love), Seu Jorge (The Life Aquatic), Liam Cunningham, Dominic Cooper, Steven Mackintosh, Damian Lewis.

Synopsis: Frank Perry (Brian Cox) is a lifer; in prison for the rest of his natural born days. He’s never had a problem with that: he did the crime; he’ll do the time. Until now. He receives a letter telling him that his only and much loved daughter is critically ill following an overdose. He knows that he must see her and to do that he’ll have to escape. But he can’t do it alone. A motley crew of younger associates are assembled to enact his plan: Lenny Drake (Joseph Fiennes), Brodie (Liam Cunningham), and Viv Baptista (Seu Jorge). As they prepare to break out Frank’s focus is distracted by the arrival of a young con James Lacey (Dominic Cooper) – a reminder of days long lost. As the new kid on the block Lacey also attracts the sadistic attention of Tony (Steven Macintosh), the drug-addict brother of wing-king Rizza (Damian Lewis). Personality conflicts puts the escape in jeopardy and Frank is forced to find the energy and courage of the man he once was.