Grandpa's Great Escape

If you like WW2 films/ documenteries and you like David Walliams (bit of a random pairing but thats the reason why I watched this) you are in for a treat. A funny, heartfelt film that is great for all the family.

The only reason why I dont give it the full 10 is sometimes the jump between the heartfelt moments to the silly comedy was a bit too drastic, but thats just me! Still a great watch.

Adult Jack recounts the 1980's and his former Spitfire pilot Grandpa (Tom Courtenay) who is growing increasingly delusional. Young Jack (Kit Connor) tries to help despite its difficulties. The rest of the family is more concerned with their own lives. After an incident, Grandpa is sent to an aged home run by ruthless Miss Dandy (Jennifer Saunders). Jack and Grandpa lead an escape from the retirement POW camp.

It's a British family film. I laughed once. It's inoffensive. It's mostly fine with some cute moments. Grandpa and Jack are a good match although not the most charismatic. There are worst things on the tele.

I found this film so difficult to review. As a story it's emotional and does capture the viewers attention. This a basically a story of family connections. Yet the way dementia is shown is for me at least extremely disrespectful. Gives the sense that it's game which this illness is not. Left me with a very uncomfortable feeling.

David Walliam's children's story Grandpa's Great Escape is probably more Dahl like.

A real flight of fancy as Grandpa was a heroic Spitfire pilot during the Battle of Britain.

Now in the 1980s he is suffering from Alzheimer's and his family are struggling to care for him. His grandson Jack fights for him to stay with them but Grandpa is sent to Twilight Towers.

The nursing home is run like Colditz by the formidable Miss Dandy who also wants a passport and the latest will for identification purposes.

Being set in the 1980s allows for nostalgia of New Romantic tunes as Jack's sister swoons for Duran Duran.

It is a sweet but silly comedy drama that only soars when Grandpa organises his escape.

I think in the 1980s there were several nursing homes not far removed from Twilight Towers that kept their inmates drugged up.

It's a lot like Children's Film Foundation made for Saturday morning cinemas in the 70s. That's not a bad thing because its core story is good, but David Walliams is just sinister. Tom Courtenay tries valiantly but deserves better.