Unfortunately not all efforts can be crackerjacks and this painfully true aphorism certainly applies to The Escape Artist. In all literature, plays, teleplays, and large screen movie releases etc., there is credible suspension of belief and there is also incredible suspension of belief. The latter describes what is necessary to take this particular 'escape' ride. It appears many of the writers nowadays reflect much of the fantasy universe they grew up playing in, with their games and hand-held devices. One can write well and not feel compelled to banish all commonsensical behavior on the part of essential characters. Whether this behavior stems from major characters being shocked and taken aback when confronted by an unexpected and repugnant evil. Or worse, whether it stems from a jaded apathy and more than implied complicity with evil. But nowadays common sense and right thinking are largely absent from teleplays and Movies of this kind. I guess it is the only way for many of them to make things work anymore, such is the state of creative writing.
The ending, and I mean the actual last 30 seconds of the teleplay, to my mind, are the only truly clever and revealing moments in this work, leaving the observant viewer to question his eyeballs and hit the replay button on the DVR. Something of great importance is on-screen for a very few seconds. There is a purposeful director's close-up which brings an insight and some measure of finality to the story ... and at the same time, has the obvious potential for raising more intriguing questions about complicity and who just may be involved in this intrigue. The actor's attention to something and subsequent inexplicable physical movement in these few seconds conveys a good deal. Perhaps an Easter Egg? I'm surprised no review before me has drawn attention to this. But considering the low ratings maybe I shouldn't be as it really doesn't make up for the lost 3 hours preceding it. Oh well.
The ending, and I mean the actual last 30 seconds of the teleplay, to my mind, are the only truly clever and revealing moments in this work, leaving the observant viewer to question his eyeballs and hit the replay button on the DVR. Something of great importance is on-screen for a very few seconds. There is a purposeful director's close-up which brings an insight and some measure of finality to the story ... and at the same time, has the obvious potential for raising more intriguing questions about complicity and who just may be involved in this intrigue. The actor's attention to something and subsequent inexplicable physical movement in these few seconds conveys a good deal. Perhaps an Easter Egg? I'm surprised no review before me has drawn attention to this. But considering the low ratings maybe I shouldn't be as it really doesn't make up for the lost 3 hours preceding it. Oh well.