The Great Escaper: Film Review
Michael Caine has indicated that The Great Escaper may be his last film ever and if that turns out to be true, he picked one heck of a performance to cap off his career.
Oliver Parker‘s new drama tells the true story of Bernard ‘Bernie’ Jordan (Caine), an 89-year-old World War II Royal Navy veteran who escaped from his retirement home in Hove in 2014 and made his way to France for the 70th-anniversary commemorations of D-Day. It also stars the late Glenda Jackson as his wife Rene, who encourages him to make his headline-grabbing journey.
The two lead performances are terrific and the sharp script is surprisingly funny, given the subject matter. This combination helps us warm to Bernie and Rene instantly. They are such characters. Rene in particular has so much personality and verve and often treats her old age, ailments and the prospect of death with a sense of humour. She is confined to their room while Bernie is out on his adventure but her scenes are just as entertaining to watch thanks to her frank honesty and upfront attitude.
The script is unexpectedly amusing in places but it balances that out with heartfelt drama that hits you in the emotions. While it is mostly about Bernie’s adventure in France, it also looks at his experience with post-traumatic stress disorder and how his time in the war has affected his entire life. It shines a light on other current or former soldiers too and shows how PTSD can manifest itself differently.
I’ve never seen Caine so raw and in touch with his emotions onscreen before. His emotional performance made me cry (a few times). What a role to bow out on! The same goes for Jackson, who passed away nine months after she filmed this. I was so impressed by her energy and sass considering her age. There are plenty of great supporting cast members but I want to give a shout-out to John Standing as Bernie’s fellow veteran Arthur and Danielle Vitalis as Adele, an employee at the care home.
The only downside was the budget restraints, which were very apparent in the D-Day flashbacks scenes, but this hurdle was overcome in creative ways. It was also clear that the France street scenes were shot in England. I understand why the production was based solely in the U.K. but those exterior scenes could have been more convincing.
However, it seems unfair to focus on such a niggle when the rest of the movie is so delightful. I wasn’t particularly keen to see The Great Escaper but I’m really glad that I did. Make sure you bring tissues!
In cinemas from Friday 6th October