TeddySmashings
Absolutely loved this film its slow at times but it just kicks you right in the feels repeatedly. Great acting and plot.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
04/12/24
Full Review
Steve P
The Great Escaper sets sail with a heartwarming premise: Bernie, a WWII veteran residing in a care home, hatches a daring escape to fulfil a lifelong dream—attending the 70th-anniversary commemoration of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Michael Caine delivers a charming performance as Bernie, with a twinkle in his eye despite the wrinkles on his face. Glenda Jackson portrays his wife, Rene, and their love story as a quiet thread woven throughout the narrative.
However, the film struggles to maintain momentum. The historical context, ripe for exploration, feels like a missed opportunity. Sure, there are flashbacks to Bernie's wartime experiences, but they're fleeting and lack depth. Similarly, the cultural impact of D-Day and its significance for veterans like Bernie are barely touched on. This is a shame, because a deeper dive into these themes could have resonated powerfully.
The plot itself, while sweet, feels predictable. Bernie's escape is executed with unbelievable, surprising ease, and the challenges he faces on his journey are fairly mild. There's a sense of wanting him to encounter more obstacles and truly feel the weight of his escapade. The film's tone, aiming for heartwarming with a touch of humour, lands somewhere in between. There are moments that elicit genuine smiles, but they're often undercut by a sentimentality that feels a bit forced.
The saving grace of the film lies in the performances. Caine, as always, is a delight to watch. He imbues Bernie with a quiet determination and vulnerability that make him endearing. Jackson, though given less screen time, delivers a poignant portrayal of a wife grappling with her own limitations while supporting her husband's dream. The supporting cast is solid, but their characters lack the same depth as the leads.
Director Oliver Parker keeps things visually pleasant. The French countryside is beautifully captured, and the cinematography is unobtrusive. The score is forgettable, failing to evoke much emotional resonance. The editing is competent, but the pacing feels uneven, particularly during the middle section of the film. Dialogue is mostly functional, with a few witty lines sprinkled in, but it lacks the spark that could have elevated the film's emotional impact.
Honestly, The Great Escaper left me feeling a little let down. It has the potential for brilliance, but the execution feels uninspired. Films like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel come to mind, which handle similar themes of ageing and chasing dreams with a touch more humour and heart.
If you're looking for a light, predictable watch with a charming lead performance, then The Great Escaper might be worth a shot. There is not much here about the intricacies of love, loss, and memory that will satisfy those seeking a more profound exploration of these themes.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
03/22/24
Full Review
T M
Excellent movie. So heartwarming. Brilliant acting from the elderly actors Glenda Jackson and Michael Caine.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/22/24
Full Review
Dean S
All time WW2 Classic that never gets old. A film every war film enthusiast should watch at least once in their lifetime. And there is a little motorbike sequence you may want to see! 10/10 5 stars
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/21/24
Full Review
Howie B
The final film for both Caine and Jackson (sadly she died soon after filming), and what a great way to bow out. Based on this true story which was 'big' news at the time while living in the UK, the film provides all the emotional pull strings in a totally entertaining way.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/17/24
Full Review
Alan W
A based on a true story feelgood Brit-flick that comes around every so often these days, if only to keep our more elderly National Treasures in regular employment, this one is no different except for the unbelievable first-ever pairing of Michael Caine with Glenda Jackson, a billing which would have been sensational back in the day, and still is, but it's most significant now as Caine's last film before he announces his retirement and sadly also Jackson's final screen role as she has since passed away. Based on the rather simple and straightforward story that caught the media's attention in 2014 when 89-year-old British veteran Bernard Jordan took off on his own from his care home where he and his wife reside to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in France, screenwriter William Ivory has fleshed it out further with a couple of characters Bernard comes across: a young soldier with PTSD, an alcoholic veteran who befriends him and, giving Caine an opportunity to exercise his acting chops, an exploration of survivor's guilt that Bernard is struggling with. Wisely eschewing too many flashbacks so as to give the senior leads more screen time, even if it's just putting them in front of the camera and have them regale their stories, director Oliver Parker simply let Jackson and Caine work their magic and it's pure pleasure watching them on screen playing out the loving couple who has spent 70 years together. The casting of John Standing and character German actor Wolf Kahler, reuniting the actors from 1976's The Eagle Has Landed, adds a nice, subtle touch too. Without getting too overboard with sentimentalities, this does the job for a niche but substantial market, and it cannot be any nicer or more respectable whilst doing so.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
03/10/24
Full Review
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