The Escape Artist

The young Griffin O'Neal wants to follow in the footsteps of his late father, a famous magician who is considered legendary, and O'Neal definitely has the talent and the guts to make it. He's a crafty kid, charming and funny yet sweet and cunning, all at the same time. Basically, he could steal your wallet and make you laugh while doing it so you give in and let him keep it. While he didn't become a big star, this did lead to other things, and had he done nothing else, I would still remember him distinctly for this. He is surrounded by a great ensemble which includes Raul Julia, looking almost exactly as he did as Gomez Addams a decade later, not the most respectful character here, for one you can take your eyes off of. As the son of the local mayor, played by none other than Desi Arnaz, he is always a thorn in his dad's side, and like O'Neal, if he wants to, he can turn you into getting what he wants. Arnaz, here with a full head of white hair, looks as dashing as ever, and he makes the most of the small supporting role, billed comically as Desiderio. Joan Hackett is fabulous as his aunt, and there's also a few of the original Bowery Boys in memorable cameos. This is a charming film that shows the danger of the profession that O'Neal wants to get into, and the period detail truly makes it visually a pleasure. Like so many other films of the '80s, it house managed to get a small cult following, and at the ripe old age of 40 now, it seems fresher than ever.

Danny Masters is the teenage son of the late Harry Masters "The Greatest Escape Artist in the world, after Houdini". He leaves home to join his Uncle and Aunty, fellow magicians. He wants to follow in his father's steps and he's not that far behind him in doing so, even though his father died what he loved doing. One day while visiting a magic shop he meets the town's Mayor's neurotic adult son Stu, where a strange relationship begins, as Danny and Stu decide to create the ultimate escape, but are Danny's talents being exploited, or does he not care. The theme at hand is engaging just thinking about it and "The Escape Artist" (which is adapted off David Wagoner's novel) is an enjoyably offbeat and wondrously moody drama with some splendid performances. Griffin O'Neal is fitting as the lead and Raul Julia is eccentrically good. The chemistry dynamics between the two demonstrates laughs, but also excitement as it remains unpredictable. There's charming support by Teri Garr, Joan Hackett, Gabriel Dell, Elizabeth Daily and Jackie Coogan. Then there are the likes of Desi Arnaz, M. Emmet Walsh and a minor, but comically good John P. Ryan. Never really heard of it before, but I was pulled in by its charm and mystic with a nice blend of witty humour between the characters and tension within some of the magic tricks. Sure it's a kid's film at heart, but the playful story does have its sombre moments and numerous smokescreen developments. Melissa Mathison (who was behind "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial") pens the screenplay, where it's sharply pitched and ambitious despite some shady details and plenty going on. Even the imagery stands out at times with imaginative touches and perfect timing in its performances and poignant direction.

I enjoyed the score, and Griffen O'Neal is quite good. However, I wished there had been another scene with Gabriel Dell...felt like there was something missing...still this is a good movie that could have been better -

Danny Masters (Griffin O'Neal) is the son of an escape artist and wants to follow in his footsteps. When he grifts the wallet of the mayor's son, Stu (Raul Julia), he puts himself in the middle of something much larger. Where this movie succeeded: The magic tricks (if you like magic). Raul Julia, his character was interesting Where this movie failed: The lack of clarity of the plot. Even by the end it was unclear what Danny had done, why he had done it, and what its magnitude was. The only thing that was clear was that the mayor and his appointees were crooked. How crooked and what they were into is unclear.

I watched this movie 37 years or so after it was made - and I was really surprised. This was not what I was expecting at all. This film boasts a clever, innovative and engrossing story and great performances by the two lead actors - Raul Julia and Griffin O'Neal. I don't know where Griffin O'Neal's career went after this, but he deserved to do well. Interesting to see the participation of Desi Arnez and Jackie Coogan. It struck me that it was interesting seeing Jackie Coogan, the original Uncle Fester, doing a scene with Raul Julia, who went on to play the movies' Gomez Addams. This really is a very enjoyable movie and I'm happy to recommend it.

This is one of those odd movies which is much greater than the sum of its parts. Leonard Maltin is quite right that it is muddled, and the plot has tons of holes and inconsistencies. The casting is odd and quirky. But when the smoke clears, it stays with you. Maybe it's just the concept of a child prodigy magician. BTW, the contemporary reviews in 1982 were pretty much in accord with this opinion.

The Escape Artist ranks as one of the best films I have ever seen. The fact that it is little-known is ironic, because it seems the film has done its own disappearing act, even though it is quite substantial. I am not sure I have ever seen such a profound and convincing role performed by a child, before. The screenwriter and director made sure that Griffin O'Neal's character (Danny Masters) was not some sugar-coated cartoon character, but instead, this boy comes from a "broken" home with a great deal of turmoil. He survives and flourishes by his own strength of character and his singular purpose: To re-create and enact the famous magic feats of his deceased father. Raul Julia (as Stu Quinnones) is at-his-best in this film, playing a dis-satisfied, eccentric, mischievous outcast with a good heart. Danny and Stu naturally coalesce. It is intriguing that Julia plays the role of the impulsive, fun loving child, where O'Neal's character is rather sober and mature. Danny endeavors to continue the tradition (and memory) of his father, while Stu rejects and de-serves his father's influence. It is apparent to me that the film's creators strove to create a meaningful, emotionally-rich film, almost free of violence. This movie stands on it's own substance; outstanding acting and direction, and fine script writing. This should have been one of the most talked-about movies of the 80's, and a perennial favorite with this understated, tour-de-force performance by Griffin O'Neal. Hats off to Melissa Mathison for magically adapting-to-screen the original novel, written by David Wagoner.

I loved this film. It ranks as my number 1 film of all time. I think it is warm, funny and poignant. The whole film from the acting to the photography is infused with a kind of otherworldliness. It is magically warm and sad, and uses illusion to describe how we come terms with our place in the world. The stand out performance by Griffin O'Neal bests anything that i have seen from the O'Neal clan.

It's a great kid's film, I saw it as an early teen and it really got me interested in magic. The main character gets away with so much because of his skills but it was all within the realms of plausibility if you've got a bit of bottle and enough books on magic and safe cracking etc. Griffin O'Neal is really expressive and natural in his role. Even though what he gets up to is pretty wild you believe that this kid is amazing enough to pull it off.

I just watched this on Talking Pictures channel in the UK - November 2021. I'm in a quandary about it now as I don't feel like the film was properly finished. I almost wonder if section(s) of it were missing, either cut by the channel I just watched it on, or by the people that made the film, or maybe they cut it short in production. There were some narrative gaps which I had to fill in by guessing what had happened in between. The acting was all top notch, the score was great and individual scenes were excellent and effecting, but what and why the things that happen do happen is hard to follow, it felt like the middle third of the film was just plain missing. I did however recognise a redemption of the kid's father, and to some extent the mayor's son, who was clearly negatively mentally affected by his corrupt father. This is worth seeing and I would have given it more than a 6/10 if it had been better edited or felt properly finished.