The timeless themes of war and the effect it has on the participants and their relatives comes to the fore once again in the new drama ESCAPE AND EVASION.
Seth (Josh McConville) is an Australian war veteran who has just returned from a mission in Burma, only to find the inquisitive journalist sister, Rebecca Pennyshaw (Bonnie Sveen) questioning the circumstances behind her missing-possibly-presumed-dead brother, Josh (Hugh Sheridan) who has not returned with others, killed in action.
Seth is suffering from the after-effects of PTSD, which is having a negative effect on his relationship with his ex-wife and young daughter, with all manner of psychological trauma and vivid and bloody visions coming into the frame. Despite being regarded as a valued member of the military by his superiors, the big questions of what happened to the rest of his squad remain dominant in Rebecca’s mind, to the point that she is considering a visit to Burma to uncover the truth, even if Seth is unwilling based on his condition to tell her….
Writer/director Storm Ashwood takes some of the key elements of many late 20th Century war films like APOCALYPSE NOW, FULL METAL JACKET and FIRST BLOOD amongst others and offers a fresh perspective on the plight of many soldiers who have been affected by the actions, causes and consequences of their training in troubled war zones of the world.
The Burmese plight of refugees and the regime that has dominated headlines was examined in a more gung-ho way in the third RAMBO sequel back in 2008, but this is not a movie designed to be a violence-for-violence sake actioner like the Stallone films were. In terms of spirit, it is reminiscent of Clint Eastwood’s AMERICAN SNIPER in tone and very similar in terms of the relationships that are explored.
Whilst it will be Josh McConville who rightly and deservedly so encapsulates the conflict and emotional extremities of a man who has to adjust to civilian life with bigger challenges than he faced on the battlefield, an extra special mention must go to co-star Bonnie Sveen who has given one of the most amazing female performances of the last five years here.
It is truly rare that a female character has encompassed the emotional and psychological determination of her journalist character here, when in the case of most films like this it is always about the focus on the male characters, something that defined the likes of THE DEER HUNTER which took its’ time building on the key relationships of the steel workers who were heading of to Vietnam.
The action is staged very well and is understandably gratuitous and violent, but it is not the sole purpose for viewing the film, which is based on the clarity and strength of the performances, which is where it hits the hardest.
One of the best anti-war films of the last ten years.
