THE ESCAPIST

Year: 2008
USA: IFC Films
UK: Vertigo Films
Cast: Brian Cox, Joseph Fiennes, Liam Cunningham, Seu Jorge, Dominic Cooper, Steven Mackintosh, Damian Lewis, Bernadette McKenna, Eleanor McLynn, Vinnie McCabe, George Seremba, Jack Walsh, Marcel Vidal
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Countries: UK / Ireland
USA: 102 mins
UK: 105 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong bloody violence and two uses of very strong language
USA Release Date: 10 April 2009 (Limited Release - Los Angeles)
UK Release Date: 20 June 2008


Synopsis

Frank Perry (Brian Cox) is a prisoner resigned to seeing out the remainder of his days incarcerated for a crime he committed a long time ago. His quiet existence is upturned when he receives a letter from his estranged daughter telling him she is critically ill following an overdose.

Determined to see her one last time, Frank makes the decision to attempt an escape but knows he can't do it alone. An unlikely group of associates is assembled to enact his plan: Lenny Drake (Joseph Fiennes), Brodie (Liam Cunningham), and Viv Baptista (Seu Jorge).

As they devise the breakout, Frank's focus is distracted by the arrival of a young con, James Lacey (Dominic Cooper), who reminds him of days long lost. As the new kid on the block, Lacey also attracts the sadistic attention of Tony (Steven Mackintosh), the drug-addict brother of wing-king Rizza (Damian Lewis). Personal conflicts soon put the escape in jeopardy and Frank is forced to find the energy and courage of the man he once was.