Film The Escapist

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Like all good prison-escape movies, The Escapist has an ensemble cast of stereotypes: the lifer (Brian Cox), the serial escapee (Liam Cunningham), the fixer (Seu Jorge), the tough guy (a beefed-up Joseph Fiennes) and the screwed-up kid (Dominic Cooper). However, the quirky casting (Damian Lewis puts in a terrifying performance as camp block bully Rizza), keen acting and atmospheric locations — the Underground has never looked better — ensure that Rupert Wyatt's film avoids mere clichédom. Yes, some of the violence is gratuitous, but the all-important twist at the end comes as a complete surprise — this is British cinema at its imperfect, but impressive best.

– Lucy Davies

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