THE ESCAPE ARTIST (1982)

 

Directed By: Caleb Deschanel

Written By: Melissa Mathison and Stephen Zito

Based on the novel by: David Wagoner

Cinematography: Stephen H. Burum

Editor: Arthur Schmidt 

Cast: Griffen O’Neal, Raul Julia, Desi Arnez, Joan Hackett, Jackie Coogan, Hal Williams, M. Emmett Walsh, Harry Anderson, Elizabeth Daily, Teri

Garr

The young and self-confident Danny bluffs at the local police-station that he will escape out of prison within one hour. What follows is a flashback about his childhood with his uncle and aunt, which are 'vaudeville'-artists themselves. We also follow the problems of Danny with the corrupt son of the mayor.

There’s a film I knew about thanks to all the video guides which I wish they still had just to get recommendations from as now with message boards and social media and feels like always getting recommendations of the same films that are more modern. He’s older films are hard to find.

This film is disappointing for what could’ve been rather than what it was. As watching it, Juan was hoping that it would get better as it went along. It never quite does.

As it feels too playful with nothing really going on and it feels too slow for kids and too silly for adults.

The film plays like an early Amblin movie and adventurous film with a kid as the star who goes on a journey or adventure. We see it more from their point of view and the Child characters can actually be in True Danger only hear there’s not much fantasy happening, and Amblin films are usually made more for a preteen audience. It does make one long for when they made these types of movies for an audience looks like took more seriously.

This film unfortunately has no feeling of fun things play, but they also just seen that happen with little to no fan fare. Though it is very detailed.

Maybe because it was made under AMERICAN ZOETROPE studios, where the films made, and that matured there were more willing to be experimental

Griffin O’Neal who plays lead, never makes an impact as he Has no charisma in the role and he never seems quite lively or fun. Which makes it easier for him to blend in as a supporting characters are more lively and interesting.

So it seems like maybe concessions were made off of his name and his famous father and sister.

The film keeps in innocence about it as it never goes over the line nor does it ever dirty. It’s south, or the audience with anything exploitive, or too risqué.

This was The last film of Desi Arnaz Sr. one wonders why he even took a role in this as the role he has is Pedro but it’s not that show stopping and there’s not Too much to it.

Raul Julia in his role seems a little too often wacky almost like a cartoon character for how moody he can be one minute and silly the next.

Well, it has a sense of wonder what film quite often is dull. It should be better considering the talent behind it.

It does Seem like a film, where seeing it on the big screen would maybe increase the audience enjoyment. No, the script still would need to be stronger and a bit busier.

Which would give the audience a reason to not only watch the care.

This is one of the few films that was directed by legendary cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel. 

One rarely says this, but this feels like a film that should be remade only with more fun lore and adventure.

Grade: C