![]() ![]() Throughout this entire scene, the wedding bands worn by Dwyer and his wife are clearly visible. ![]() For example, in one nail-biting sequence, a masked Dwyer and family must slowly drive a moped through a crowd of rioters. The film’s rhythm is also frustratingly inexpert – there are tons of Chekhov’s-guns thrown around here, but they lack payoff. It has no pretensions to greatness, artistic merit, historical significance, or cultural sensitivity. Let’s make one thing clear: this is a kitchen-sink mélange of Chaotic Revolutlonary Violence tropes (mass executions, Tianenmen Square-style tanks, statues being torn down, hotels being sacked). It’s worth noting “No Escape” has been decried by some for its depiction of foreigners as violent and cruel, but the movie’s late attempt to course-correct (“actually, this violence is a legitimate response to the economic imperialism of global corporations” – I’m not making this up) is just insulting. That leaves Dwyer to figure out how to save his family. Further, Unnamed Country’s entire military and police force is seemingly eradicated within an 8-hour timespan. The rationale behind the revolution is persistently murky – something having to do with protests over Dwyer’s American corporation’s purchase of the nation’s municipal water utility. That’s it – and honestly, “No Escape” is at its best when it’s keeping things simple. When water engineer Jack Dwyer (Owen Wilson), his wife Annie (Lake Bell) and their two young daughters move to Unnamed Country (which I’m pretty sure is supposed to be Indonesia), civil unrest breaks out and they must flee for survival. “No Escape” is certainly a thriller, though undoubtedly a highly imperfect one. It’s been a long week of law journal footnote-checking, and I’m always game for an intense, internationally-oriented thriller. ![]()
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