User reviews

Wow, this an excellent portrayal of depression, and I'm sure it'll resonate with so many mothers/wives out there. It is so good, so realistic and recognisable, it was very difficult to watch at times. Gemma Arterton should be applauded for her work here.

Unfortunately I felt the narrative too simplistic and the ending unsatisfying. They've also gone for minimal dialogue, which whilst I'm sure some would argue you don't need as everything is written on their faces, I personally found it much too minimal.

In summary - amazing and moving portrayal of depression and helplessness in the acting, but ultimately a not wholly satisfying film to watch. 7/10

Let me start this review by saying I've never wanted children. I've never understood the societal pull for having children. Bearing in mind I'm a 48 year old man, this film gave me further confirmation that I've made the right life choice in that regard. What I loved about this film was that it confronted fears and actions rarely seen in film - that of a wife and mother needing more to life than simply giving and not taking. A wife who looks after her two children. A wife who looks after her husband. There must be more to life than being a wife and mother? Or indeed a husband and father. The Eacape was a morally complex and thought provoking film that's rarely seen - questioning the very idea of the norms of society. We all need structure. We all need love. But sometimes that's not enough. 7 out of ten.

The Escape is a very slow movie. I believe this should be the first thing to keep in mind if you are going to watch it. On the other hand, it is an incredibly deep movie with a real focus on characters, feelings and emotions. You can actually feel the pain and the sorrow, and even if you do not agree with the choices of Tara, you canot avoid to suffer with her.

Not the best movie of the year, but for sure a good option to explore a little bit more the human nature of couples.

Having a model family and a high life status doesn't always make you happy. Because apparently having a happy relationship lies on the chemistry you have with the other person. And the chemistry here in this woman's marriage is certainly lacking. I feel even if she weren't depressed the lack of chemistry would make this marriage doomed. And yes not everyone is made for parenting and for those who don't have the right partner things can become unbearable. Is there a way out? Our heroine finds one. But not totally costless...

Shallow as I am, I don't normally watch films that score less than 6 on IMDb but what did strike me was the mismatch between critic and user reviews for this extremely well acted, occasionally uncomfortable and moving film. It essentially explores a failing marriage between a complex, unfulfilled and deeply unhappy woman and a dysfunctionally loving, essentially shallow and selfish man.

Dominic Cooper is excellent in a charismatic but unsympathetic role but the movie really belongs to Gemma Arterton, who is mesmerising in a clearly raw and challenging role and one that appears close to her heart. I've seen her in several TV and film roles, most recently in Summerland and the BBCs excellent short story lockdown set series Unprecedented and she never fails to impress, but does so particularly in this.

As a study of depression, absolute desperation, unfulfillment and a yearning for something more in a marriage that is breaking down, it will strike an uncomfortable chord with many people in troubled relationships. A sometimes difficult watch but well worth seeking out, particularly for the performances.

It's a long slow haul. The dialogue appears to be improvised, which I imagine is supposed to make it sound realistic but instead adds to the overall tedium. I don't think the husband is a b*****d, he's just out of his depth. You'd think she would start by at least turning the radio on at home or watching a bit of TV in order to give herself a bit of company; She doesn't interact with any of the parents or teachers at the school, she just wallows in her own self pity and doesn't think to medical help. The Paris sequence is laughably unrealistic and the denouement leaves us guessing - not that I cared much by that stage. (Incidentally where is the garden square she wanders around at the beginning and end of the film? It doesn't appear to have any connection with the estate where they live.) Gemma Arterton suffers nobly but she's one of the executive producers, so she has to take a share of the blame for this unconvincing farrago.

For the first hour of the movie, I'm just waiting for Tara to leave home. Finally she does, and then I wait for her to do something. Anything. So many scenes in this movie, sometimes just one shot, raise questions and provide no answers. What is happening there? Where is she going? How will this end? Who knows? The only reason to watch is to see Gemma Arterton. She is beautiful. But she's in other movies which may be more worthwhile.

Talk about a movie about a spoiled existence. Woman has beautiful home, loving husband, great kids, a great social life if she wants it, even small opportunities to be a positive influencer in her community, but she takes the easy way out and just shuts down. Then, of course, follows up with the next step seeking the easy/better fantasy across the tracks or wherever. Maybe she should try a bit of reality being a female in Afghanistan.

Daytime soap level acting & script.

If you are looking for shiny, glamorous portrayal and cliches, then go and watch a Hollywood film. It is a British film - it is subtle, messages are not delivered in exaggeration. Her life in London, so familiar - a middle class marriage where mother looks after two young children and dad seems to be making well at his career. A dream life right? No, she is bored to hell, feels depressed, guilt, hopelessness, just does not enjoy her life. Her husband means well but far from understanding her. She does not seem to have physical chemistry towards him, while he feels differently. This does not help either. The film is showing so many women's life - trapped in house, like a babysitter, shopper, housekeeper, and husband's sex needs meeter. Some people wrote here and on other site that film was cliche, its development and ending especially... I completely disagree, surprised with these reviews, since it is opposite to me - the film developed really well and did not end at all as cliche. And the ending is super. If you like indie films, this film will satisfy you. As a mid age woman, who never married but know so many women in my life and family who feel similarly trapped like her, I know what it means.. I can feel and understand. The film depicts these emotions really well without her obviously stating it. I think this film deserves better reviews. 7 is a good score for me - could be more arty, indie, in its script/direction, but it is a good film, not a waste of time.

No story. Self indulgent. No dramatisation. Peopled by caricatures. Who put the money up for this movie?

Selfishness and immaturity are not bravery or self-development. Live the life you have chosen, stop complaining, force yourself to grow up and enjoy what you have. Self-awareness and meeting responsibilities you have taken on, such is life. She is age 30 but acts like she is half that old. Or less.

PS presumably when goes off to find herself, she is spending the husband's money, and without a conscience.

PS not sure who would pay to see in a theater