Review: The Girl on the Train
Friday, October 7, 2016 at 9:39PM by Murtada
The Girl on the Train presents actressexuals with a major dilemma. On one hand you have an actress you like front and center in a movie, being framed by an adoring director and cinematographer, giving her showcase scene after showcase scene. And the actress is giving it her all, rocking our world with deeply felt emotions. On the other hand the movie around her is artless, even silly at times. What would an actressexual do in this situation? Be happy the actress is Emily Blunt, lean back and enjoy.
Blunt is Rachel an alcoholic who in an effort to forget her ex husband (Justin Theroux), his new wife (Rebecca Ferguson) and a life she still pines for, creates an imaginary loving story for the couple (Haley Bennett and Luke Evans) she watches from the train on her daily commute. When Bennett’s character disappears, and she can’t remember where she was because of a drunken blackout, Rachel fears the worst. There’s a mystery, a few suspects and each of the three women of course has a secret. It’s not groundbreaking material, but there’s enough for an enjoyable thrill ride.
Girl is enjoyable for one reason only and that is Emily Blunt. She’s at the center and gets to play a woman who’s knocked down by life, who is lost but still has a glimmer of her former self. Aided by fantastic makeup, Blunt is able to chart her character’s inebriated, confused self and it’s always clear whether she’s drunk, hungover or just plain exhausted. As Rachel starts to piece together what has happened, we get to hesitatingly see her former self, giving Bunt even more notes to play.
The supporting cast is not on the same level as Blunt. Evans and Bennett are great to look at and have some steamy scenes but seem amateurish, particularly in comparison to Blunt. Ferguson and Theroux don’t register until the very end, more the result of the screenplay focusing squarely on Rachel. One can’t help the feeling that with the exception of Blunt we are watching the second tier of actors because the first group passed.
Taylor is comfortable framing his actors in tight closeups, helping Blunt telegraph her emotional acuity. The scene where Rachel is revealed to be an alcoholic is the film's high point and a great moment for both director and actor. Taylor is less successful with building credible tension or suspense about the mystery at the heart of the story. Rachel is supposed to be an unreliable narrator, yet the way she’s filmed there was never any doubt about the outcome. The big revelation scene was greeted with applause by the crowd at my screening, but I doubt it was for the scene being genuinely thrilling. It was more of a release because something finally happened. However everytime Blunt was on screen the film sprang to life and became riveting. Blunt rocked it and this actresexual was satisfied.
Grade: Blunt B+, movie C.
Oscar Chances: None.
Reader Comments (14)
The movie is bad, but I enjoyed Allison Janney, and Blunt rocks that bathroom/video scene.
I like that Kathy Lee told her she was the new Meryl Streep. She was genuinely aghast but grateful to be recognized. Does good work. Charming and talented. $20+ million opening gets noticed.
I disliked the book, but because I really like Blunt, I will see the movie. I.
Just saw it. Enjoyable for what it is. Bennett was a bit of a letdown because hers was THE part in the novel. Felt tv movie-ish at times. Grade: C+
Just saw it. Enjoyable for what it is. Bennett was a bit of a letdown because hers was THE part in the novel. Felt tv movie-ish at times. Grade: C+
Will definitely see this one soon. But dang it, I hope that it at least can finally get Emily an overdue Oscar nom. It definitely looks like she's gunning for it in this movie.
I will have to skip it because it will probably irritate me. Good for Blunt for seemingly having knocked it out of the park. Great future ahead for her it seems.
The movie hung her out to dry! Tate Taylor had truly no idea how to present the character, so she's kind of on her own and captured even more poorly. A rough sit.
This movie was TERRIBLE. I like Blunt a lot and think she's a great actress, but this movie did her no favors. No way is she coming close to an Oscar nom for this--she won't even be able to nab a People's Choice nomination. People were laughing at various points in the theater when I saw it. This is not a spoiler of any kind--there is one scene where runs away after doing something odd, and when she's running away she moves like a penguin. It looked SO awkward, I could't help but laugh myself. I love a good thriller, but this was seriously weak.
Craver, after the critics death sentence... Blunt is out of Oscar consideration. If Pike, with raves, a more prestigious and better reviewed film and a weak year, barely make it for "Gone Girl"...
If she had a better film surrounding her and if it was a weaker year, Blunt probably could've made it in Best Actress. The role is such a strong emotional showcase for her talents but the film did her no favors. The film tries too hard to be "Gone Girl" and most of the supporting cast is given nothing to do. Sadly, even Rebecca Ferguson who I loved in Mission Impossible 5 last year.
No Oscar nominee for this movie, she is Ok, no great. and the movie is TERRIBLE BAD.
did the nanny actually have an affair with the therapist? definitely they crossed boundaries, yes?
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Directed by Tate Taylor. With Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Rebecca Ferguson, Justin Theroux. A divorcee becomes entangled in a missing persons investigation that promises to send shockwaves throughout her life.