Escape at Dannemora

Halfway through the series, I found myself itching to go on Wikipedia but also making sure not to read all the info about this case, which just drips with bizarreness. I lasted until the end and then marveled at the fact that Ben Stiller had sanded down the edges a bit, especially in terms of the nature of the main duo. They are not laughing con men, but a couple of assholes who you may like for their casting, but in your deep righteous core you don't really want them to escape. It could have been made into a two-hour film with the same message, but then we would have been deprived of a precise directorial ride, with Stiller accurately guiding his characters and a soundtrack that works with a mood that goes against audience expectations and genre clichés. It's slow and you know how it's going to turn out, but I haven't experienced this weekly torture of eagerly pacing in front of the TV waiting for the "play" button to be active on the streaming service in years. There is a lot hiding behind the seemingly plain and grey façade of the prison - a systemic indictment, broken family ties, and the incredible engine of desire for freedom. You can take as much as you like from it. It won't be a perennial in the future, lacking more audience highlights and a bigger push for gold-plated awards, but the overwhelming feeling of a creative job well done will stay with me for a long time. (07.01.2019)

Why doesn’t Ben Stiller shoot more? It’s been two years already since he made this series, and there are no new projects by him, even though Escape at Dannemora is a very good series about a jail break. He has done a great job not just in guiding the actors, thanks to which Patricia Arquette, Paul Dano and Benicio Del Toro could show their qualities, but Stiller in this series moreover presented an absurd story conveyed in a completely realistic way, which is necessary with this type of stories. The only fly in the ointment is that this story could be conveyed in a single feature film, and as a series, it seems rather stretched out. The first and last episodes would actually be enough. However, to get a complete experience, it is of course worth it to watch the entire series. Once again, Stiller showed high quality filmmaking craft with everything it entails. (10.03.2020)

I had Ben Stiller fixed as a successful comedian for many years - a creator and performer of undemanding comedic performances. Then he came up with a new adaptation of Walter Mitty and I was surprised to find out that he can also direct comedy in a cultured way and is capable of restrained, civil acting. However, he still operated within the safe grounds of the comedy genre. It wasn't until Escape at Dannemora convinced me that his talent is versatile and underappreciated. Escape at Dannemora is one of the best and most interesting escape genres with well-developed, ambiguous characters, a great script, and top-notch acting. The series provides an extraordinary experience even if you know the end of the story based on real events. It is priceless just to observe the behavior of the prisoners, guards, and all other characters. Genre-wise, the series teeters between drama and tragicomedy. The participation of Benicio Del Toro and Patricia Arquette makes Escape at Dannemora an exceptional event and great entertainment. Del Toro relishes in his character and shows the viewer the power of his cunningness, cruelty, and destructiveness, while Patricia doesn't let herself be intimidated and counters with indulgence, irresponsibility, short-sightedness, and self-centeredness. In short, a delightful group to watch. Overall impression: 95%. (06.07.2021)

I can't help but marvel at how Ben Stiller has excelled in the director's chair. I wouldn't be angry if he stayed behind the camera, because he really did a good job here. Everything seems to have clicked perfectly here, from the meticulously crafted screenplay to the masterful direction, polished cinematography, amazing soundtrack, and absolutely stellar performances by all involved. Among them, the somewhat eccentric Swedish trio of Benicio Del Toro, Patricia Arquette, and Paul Dano deserves special recognition. I'd gladly have a double portion of episodes, that's how enthusiastic I am about this series. (95%) (26.05.2021)