Based on the book that shocked the world comes 'The Girl on the Train' starring one of Hollywood's favourties Emily Blunt. Another thriller focussing on a murder mystery, 'The Girl on the Train' had the potential to be this years 'Gone Girl'. However, once you see it, you'll be wondering why you didn't just watch 'Gone Girl' instead.
Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) commutes every day to New York on a train where she always has a look at her ideal perfect home with a perfect couple living there. Suddenly news report that Megan (Haley Bennett), the woman of Rachel's perfect couple has gone missing after Rachel saw her with another man on their balcony. She goes to the police to report a possible suspect when she is accused herself after a loss in memory makes her story and alibi clunky. She now looks to regain her memory as the police try to find who the killer was.
The marketing for this film really focussed on it being shocking and a real mystery that will stun you which of course makes you excited to see the twists and eventually the outcome. Unfortunately, all this film has to offer really is that the characters are all linked becuase they have slept together. That's as much as it is really which didn't really carry that much weight to it. You don't know a whole lot about these characters so it doesn't impact you in the way that you'd hope. It also doesn't help that these characters aren't the most likeable and only seem to be having sex or sulking over something. Simply putting it, the film really doesn't carry that much tension that a good thriller should. Nothing is that compelling and borders on being melodramatic a lot of the time.
People who have read the book say that they never imagined Emily Blunt as the lead character. As someone who's first introduction to the story was this film, I feel that she did a very good job in the role. She seems very unstable straight away and plays this off very effectively. The faults in the story have nothing to do with the cast as the likes of Rebecca Ferguson and Luke Evans also put in good performances which the film cannot back up. There are some lines of dialogue that are also a bit questionable but you cannot blame the actors/actresses for this as they have to work with what they are given. It's a shame that with the talent on show, the rest of the film isn't able to use them in an effective way despite the actors/actresses best efforts.
The structure of this film looks at the present day at first and then very so often it will tell you that the next events shown will be from many months ago. It does this a lot to showcase the lives of those involved but nothing that interesting or particularly enlightening happens. The relationship between Megan and her shrink (Edgar Ramirez) seemed to show some potential which could have lead you to think of that being a main factor in the mystery. However, a suspect is taken out of the picture shortly after this meaning the lead is gone straight away, not giving it any time to build up tension or mystery. Again, the film uses these flashbacks to show who is sleeping with who behind who's backs and it just isn't effective. Due to this, the film is fairly dull with not many interesting things happen. In a drama like this, it cannot afford that.
It's interesting to see that the author of the book Paula Hawkins was not involved in the screenplay of the film which ultimately may have hurt the film. As it is her idea and story, it probably could have done with her being involved in some way, like Emma Donoghue did so well with in 'Room'. It may have solved some of the problems such as dialogue and added that tension that apparently features in the book. Unfortunately, she wasn't which may be a cause for why this story was handled so poorly and didn't have that powerful effect.
Overall, 'The Girl on the Train' is not a film that you should be rushing to see. A thriller that isn't thrilling at all, this was a huge disappointment. The cast does a reasonably good job but ultimately, they can't do enough to save a film with a choppy narative and some poor dialogue. Watch 'Gone Girl' if you want to see a similar story done well.
This was actually the 100th different movie I have seen in the cinema this year. I really wish something better had been on that landmark instead.
Final Verdict =
So have you seen 'The Girl on the Train'? If so, what did you think of it? I hope that this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the movie. Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my review, it is much appreciated!
It's interesting to see that the author of the book Paula Hawkins was not involved in the screenplay of the film which ultimately may have hurt the film. As it is her idea and story, it probably could have done with her being involved in some way, like Emma Donoghue did so well with in 'Room'. It may have solved some of the problems such as dialogue and added that tension that apparently features in the book. Unfortunately, she wasn't which may be a cause for why this story was handled so poorly and didn't have that powerful effect.
Overall, 'The Girl on the Train' is not a film that you should be rushing to see. A thriller that isn't thrilling at all, this was a huge disappointment. The cast does a reasonably good job but ultimately, they can't do enough to save a film with a choppy narative and some poor dialogue. Watch 'Gone Girl' if you want to see a similar story done well.
This was actually the 100th different movie I have seen in the cinema this year. I really wish something better had been on that landmark instead.
Final Verdict =
So have you seen 'The Girl on the Train'? If so, what did you think of it? I hope that this review was useful for if you were planning on seeing the movie. Once again, thank you for taking the time to read my review, it is much appreciated!
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