The Girl on the Train
THE GIRL ON THE TRAINÂ (15)
D: Tate Taylor
Universal/Dreamworks/Reliance (Marc Platt)
USA 🇺🇸 2016
112 mins
Mystery/Thriller
W: Erin Cressida Wilson [based on the novel by Paula
Hawkins]
DP: Charlotte Bruus Christensen
Ed: Michael McCusker & Andrew Buckland
Mus: Danny Elfman
Emily Blunt (Rachel Watson), Haley Bennett (Megan
Hipwell), Rebecca Ferguson (Anna Boyd), Justin Theroux (Tom Watson), Luke Evans (Scott Hipwell), Alison Janney (Det. Sgt. Riley), Edgar Ramirez (Dr. Kamir Abdic), Lisa Kudrow
(Martha)
This 2016 thriller starring Emily Blunt doesn't possess the
most original story, but the novel approach to the mystery unfolding makes it a very interesting addition to the genre.
Emily Blunt plays Rachel, an alcoholic divorcee with a rather
unhealthy obsession with her past. On her morning commutes to New York City, she passes her old picket-fence neighbourhood and develops an idyllic preoccupation with a couple who live next door
to the house where her ex-husband lives with his new family.
One day, during an inebriated stupor, she witnesses an event
through her carriage window which thrusts her deep into a missing person investigation and subsequently becomes a homicide inquiry, but due to her alcoholism, she can't remember how the events
transpired.
The choppy narrative makes it imperative to follow the story
closely, as the story of three different women manifests itself, and though the finale feels a little clichéd, the fine performances of the cast hold it all together, particularly Emily Blunt,
who I personally think is the best actress yet to be nominated for an academy award. I'm not too sure if this film will see her time come, but it may not be a bad early shout.
The film does draw some comparisons with Gone Girl, but isn't
quite as clever.
6/10
