The Girl On the Train
Director: Tate Taylor. 112mins. (15)
Review by Jason Day
Synopsis
Rachel (Emily Blunt) is a wreck. She is divorced from her husband (Justin Theroux) after her alcoholism ruined his career during his boss’ BBQ, her two week stay with a friend has turned into two years and , lonely and depressed, she spends her commute on the train to and from work fantasising about the seemingly perfect lives of her former neighbours in an affluent suburb of New York. Then, one day, her beautiful neighbour Megan (Haley Bennett) goes missing around the same time that a drunken Rachel alights early and goes to confront her about her suspicions Megan is having an affair. Rachel wakes up the next day, with blood all over her and no recollection of what happened the previous night. Then, the news announced Megan has gone missing and Rachel must start to get herself together and find out what happened.
Review, by Jason Day
Is the modern, glass and steel, Prosecco-latte swilling world the most dangerous place and time in our history to be a woman?
Watching movies like this post-Gone Girl thriller, based on the book by Paula Hawkins, you would certainly think so, with the threat coming not only from the common or garden office lothario or wine bar stud, but more than likely the life partner who shares her bed.
Which one of the three main male characters is responsible for the mystery in this film may not concern you too much if you can't get past how poorly and shallowly they are drawn, but director Tate Taylor has still managed to craft an intriguing jigsaw puzzle none the less.
The impossibly handsome actors playing them do what they can with such roles, but the show belongs to Blunt who staggers, sways and slurs with teary-eyed conviction the part of the most pathetic drunk.
For more, see my full review here
Cast & credits
Director: Tate Taylor. 112mins. Amblin/Dreamworks SKG/Marc Platt/Reliance/Storyteller. (15).
Producers: Jared LeBoff, Marc Platt.
Writers: Erin Cressida Wilson.
Camera: Charlotte Bruus Christensen.
Music: Danny Elfman.
Sets: Kevin Thompson.
Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Rebecca Ferguson, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, Edgar Ramirez, Laura Prepon, Allison Janney, Darren Goldstein, Lisa Kudrow.
