Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn (2023) User Reviews

Riveting mini-series about the rise and fall of Carlos Ghosn

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 30 August 2023]

As "Wanted: The Escape of Carols Ghosn" (2023 release from the UK; 4 episodes ranging from 42 to 51 min each) opens, Carols Ghosn faces the camera for a sit-down interview with the film makers, whose first question is about the moment in November, 2018, when the world was shocked to learn that he had been arrested by the Japanese authorities. We then go back to Ghosn's humble beginning at Renault in the mid-90s. At this point we are less than 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from well-regarded British director James Jones ("Chernobyl: The Lost Tapes"). Here he reassesses the steady rise of business rock star Carlos Ghosn, who had turned around 2 major car companies (Renault and Nissan) and at the time of his arrest being the CEO of both companies. One may agree or disagree on what Ghosn had done right or wrong. The question is: is this a worthwhile documentary mini-series? The answer is an unequivocal YES. These 4 episodes just flew by. I must say that the Japanese don't look all that well in these events (the underlying implication being that the Japanese were dreading the possible merger between Renault and Nissan and the likely subsequent loss of a Japanese icon). To the "reviewer" here who rated this mini-series 2/10 because (s)he dislikes Ghosn: this is not a poll whether one likes or dislikes Ghosn! This is supposed to be a review of the underlying documentary mini-series...

"Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn" started streaming on Apple TV a few days ago. It has gotten near-universal critical acclaim, and is currently rated 88% Certifies Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes for good reason. If you have any interest in the rise and fall of a global business leader, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

Fascinating

[gbill-74877 · 8/10 · 11 November 2023]

Such a compelling story, because everyone involved has an element of wrongdoing. Learning more about the Japanese system of "hostage justice" was eye-opening to say the least, and Mike Taylor, the man who devised the extraordinary scheme of spiriting Nissan/Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn out of the country concealed in a giant box, a plot straight out of Hollywood, should have realized he was committing grave criminal offenses despite his altruistic intentions.

But then there's Ghosn, an executive who claimed he was trapped in an elaborate conspiracy, but who in all likelihood stole tens of millions of dollars and continues to escape justice in both Japan and France by hiding in Lebanon. It's just incredible that director James Jones was able to get all parties to participate, Ghosn included, and the way the story was peeled back, layer by layer, made for a great watch.

Ghosn had my sympathy in the early episodes because of his business abilities and for falling victim to what seemed like a political coup within Nissan, but the first whiff of possible corruption and tipping point was the elaborate party he held at Versailles, one attended more by personal rather than business contacts. The descent from there was not terribly surprising given the behavior of the ultra-wealthy, who are often the first to believe they deserve the crazy amount of wealth they acquire through bending or breaking the rules, and also the first to play the victim card when investigated.

Ghosn left a trail of others holding the bag, including fellow Nissan executive Greg Kelly, who spent over three years going through Japan's legal process, and Mike Taylor, who didn't even have his legal fees reimbursed, much less the amount of gratitude you'd expect for things he did for Ghosn. Watching Ghosn splutter half-assed explanations for these things and the giant yacht he purchased with this company's money in the final episode was well worth watching on its own. Overall, the story is positively Shakespearean, complete with the ominous comment from Taylor that "it's not over yet."

Slow burn but worth the wait

[grant-freeman-126-863413 · 9/10 · 26 August 2023]

It's a slow character building documentary. In some ways you feel leading you to think a certain way. However, that story changes as the documentary moves on. If people are looking for a high actioned thriller don't watch this. It is a character building story with much to learn and speculate about. I guess Carlos has got his wish to be remembered! Weather history plays him out to be a a victim or villain only time will tell. But if you are looking for something to watch and are happy to see the building of a story this I would recommend. Otherwise you might be wasting your time if you want something fast paced.

Fascinating well done

[pik923 · 10/10 · 20 September 2023]

Keeps you wanting more information keeps the suspense. Not sure in which direction the movie will take and it's jam packed with facts. I loved it! Back and forth here and there. The devotion of his wife, found that very moving.

It's a good solid doc series. Great editing that enables the suspense.

I am not familiar with the story of either Nissan or Renault.so this series was a learning curve for me.

The unfolding of how the escape idea was hatched to its flawless execution is riveting

Juxtaposition of interviews opinions fron many reporters who followed the story IDF Nissan and Renault is interesting

One last comment learned a lot about Japanese judicial system and it's frightening.

4 episodes of mostly background, very little real info

[Xavier_Stone · 2/10 · 25 August 2023]

This is more akin to a vanity project in order to make himself look innocent, but I couldn't find any info if Carlos is the money behind this. It sure plays like it is. Only one tough question regarding financing a 50MM yacht and he responds that he uses it and employs the workers on it. Wow, this is what we are lead up to? This is the gotcha moment?

Endless talk about a hard drive and laptop yet no real info is gleaned from it.

The fact that this guy was able to head 2 major car companies in different countries for so long and through downturns is a major feat. He managed to turn around Nissan in one year which just shows you how inefficient it actually was.

If you are looking for any real proof with this doc you're going to be disappointed. It's mostly a puff piece, non stop interviews with little to no actual proof of anything. I was looking for some insight into how he managed to get a car company on the verge of failing back on track, but all we get is that he cut some jobs.

The same goes for his crimes, he's suspected of funneling funds but all we are shown is some guys talking about emails. Lame. It's like the absolute bare minimum of research was done. Only the Apple brand is able to get all of these people to talk and of course the closing credit stream reveals more info than anything in this production.

Poorly produced. Zero research, all talk and no actual documents or info provided. 2/10 for highlighting a topic that I'll have to get more info from an actual real source.

Almost great

[wczktcfmz · 1/10 · 1 September 2023]

The title of my review should probably be the title of this documentary. The story, the filming, production and editing is exciting and spot on. The show, for me, falls apart with the far too often interjections by the moronic twit, Richard Quest. His maniacal, high pitched voice, screaming his trade mark ignorant and utterly ridiculous interruptions, totally destroy this show. There is no doubt the Gosns was a fascinating man who actually did turn around Renault and Nissan before he imploded and ran away from everything. It is an amazing tale and well told in this well paced and well made documentary. Except for the lunatic and ridiculous interruptions of the moronic Richard Quest, this is a great show. It's such a shame when the obvious American network interjection of this no talent idiot nearly destroys a great show.

Very dry

[asc85 · 5/10 · 17 October 2023]

With the exception of Episode 3, this was a very dry series to slog through. Leading into Episode 4, I thought this series had some real potential to be good, because it was suggested that Ghosn is in fact a very bad guy. However, most probably for legal reasons, they couldn't really discuss what evidence they had on Ghosn...the lawyer for Renault actually says something like that! So we really have no idea what they have.

But to me, there are two issues going on here. Maybe Ghosn is in fact a very bad guy. But does that justify what the Japan legal system was doing to him? I think not, and as an American, I was pretty shocked by it, and didn't know this is how Japan does things.