Mr. Movie review: ‘Girl on the Train’ deserves awards
The Girl on the Train is a nail biter from the opening sequences to the closing credits.
Emily Blunt plays Rachel. She’s a divorced drunk who is prone to blackouts and has never quite gotten over the split with her ex. Every day, she takes the train from a New York City suburb into the city. And each day, the train travels by the house where her former hubby and his new wife and baby live.
While on the daily commute, Rachel starts watching a young couple two doors down from her former home. She envies what she thinks is their deep, enduring love. But what Rachel believes and reality clash one day when she sees something odd. And in one of her many drunken stupors, Rachel gets off the train and becomes involved in a complicated mystery involving the couple.
She thinks she’s involved, but not totally sure about exactly what she saw. When questioned, instead of telling the truth, Rachel starts spinning lies. Those lies lead to even bigger yarns that complicate matters more.
The Girl on the Train is based on Paula Hawkins’ 2015 best seller, the screenplay is written by Erin Cressida Wilson (Chloe) and is directed by The Help’s Tate Taylor. Chugging into rare cinematic territory, The Girl on the Train is a complex, detailed thriller and whodunnit with deep and equally complex characters.
Taylor is a good storyteller who is aided by a talented cast. Get ready for nominations for sure for Blunt who — while always exceptional — offers a performance that tops anything she’s done to date, except maybe Young Victoria. Blunt runs up and down a slippery emotional ladder as Rachel. Tears ebb and flow as Rachel struggles to maintain her sanity and determine where reality begins and the alcoholic fog ends. Blunt is definitely on track for all kinds of best actress nominations and wins.
Her co-stars Haley Bennett (The Magnificent Seven) and Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation) may not be far behind.
The Girl on the Train is one of the year’s best movies and certainly the best thriller/whodunnit since Gone Girl.
The Girl on the Train
Director: Tate Taylor
Stars:Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Rebecca Ferguson, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, Edgar Ramirez, Allison Janney, Lisa Kudrow
Mr. Movie rating: 5 stars
Rated R for mature themes, violence, brief nudity, some language. It’s playing at the Carmike 12, Regal’s Columbia Center 8, the Fairchild Cinemas Pasco 12 and Queensgate 12, and at Walla Walla Grand Cinemas.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen.
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it’s your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on DVD.
2 stars to 1 star: Don’t bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
This story was originally published October 6, 2016 at 1:10 PM with the headline "Mr. Movie review: ‘Girl on the Train’ deserves awards."