Inescapable

Understanding Syria
Though this film has been negatively received as being a take-off on the TAKEN films (father looking for daughter under dire circumstances) it is a different kind of film and one written and directed by Ruba Nadda who manages to gives us a story that in many ways explains why the Syrian situation (terrifying chaos) is as it is. If for no other reason than to gain insight on what life in a country infested with many `secret police' organizations whose drive seems to be shoot now investigate later.

Years after he left Damascus under suspicious circumstances (he was a accused of being an Israeli spy), Adib Abdel Kareem (udanese born British character actor Alexander Siddig) is comfortably at work in Toronto when he is confronted with devastating news: his eldest daughter, Muna (Jay Anstey), has gone missing in Damascus. Now Adib, who has not been back in over 30 years, must return to Syria and deal with his secret past in order to find her. Getting a Visa is the first near...

SLOOOOOW
A lot of thoughtful non-dialog scenes. A low budget, Middle east remake of Taken with Liam Neeson minus the action. Just overall slow plot and boring.

An Uninspired Action Flick That Had the Potential To Be A Riveting Political Thriller Or A Devastating Domestic Drama
The volatile political situation in Syria is the backdrop for the tepid new thriller "Inescapable." The ideas behind this movie are solid, this has the potential to make a riveting film experience. In fact, I really liked the story. But writer/director Ruba Nadda, who also made the lovely and understated "Cairo Time," really doesn't push far enough. Does she want to explore the current state of affairs in Syria? Does she want to create a tense action flick along the lines of "Taken?" Does she want to formulate an intensely emotional experience reflecting on the ideas of family and identity? Any of these approaches probably would have worked, but Nadda gives us glimpses of each without really developing much depth into any of the individual themes. Instead, we're left with a routine genre picture that lacks much impact. At the core of the film, there is an intensely emotional and harrowing situation. A man's daughter is missing and only he can save her. But as she's not a real...

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