FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016 • 7C
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Steve Kalberg, Lawrenceville
‘The Girl on the Train’
EDITOR’S NOTE: Film Fans features local residents reviewing the movie of the week:“The Girl on the Train.” To be a film fan, email features@gwinnettdailypost.com.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCE
PASS/FAIL
SEE IT NOW OR WAIT
WHO WILL LIKE THIS...
Pass: The story development and the building tension were very well done, and even similar to what has been seen from Alfred Hitchcock. Refreshing change from what has been seen from Hollywood recently, with good acting, an original story and an eventual payoff that was also very well done. Fail: A bit jumpy with several flashbacks that interfered a bit with the synergy of the story. Confusing at times, but I assume the writers were following the format of the book.
Without a doubt, Emily Blunt is outstanding as the lead character Rachel. Her performance was entirely believable as the alcoholic, melancholy ex-wife who longingly daydreams about true love and having her own family, but is more and more frustrated by her own circumstances and can only find relief in a bottle.
If you are a fan of a mystery thriller that has several twists and turns that keep you guessing and enough drama to add flavor to the story, this is one of the best movies to come out of Hollywood since “GoneGirl”, with a very well done payoff at the end that will keep you involved.
See it now — Not because of the scenery or CG or costumes or any of the other stuff that film makers use to capture your interest, but simply because it is a really good story and a really fun ride to be fully enjoyed on the scope of the big screen that will keep you more and more on the edge of your seat.
Alfred Hitchcock would have been proud to have made this movie. Surely there will be some critics that will pick it apart, but for me this movie kept me involved from the start. I found myself actually sympathetic with Rachel’s frustration and confusion. There is too much “adult stuff” in it for it to be appropriate for the kids, but that aside, this is a really good mystery to be enjoyed by any fan of good film-making and good storytelling. Now I really want to read the book.
Pass: For a book-to- movie adaptation, the producer and director of “The Girl on the Train” did a relatively good job sticking close to the source material. They did change the locale from London to the suburbs of New York City, but other changes were minor and did not affect the story. Fail: All that being said, the movie did not live up to the promise of the book. I could not put the book down. It was suspenseful and made me care about the characters. The movie did not have the same suspense. The pace was strange, and it moved slowly in parts. The editing made the movie feel thrown together. I did not care for how most of the characters were portrayed.
Emily Blunt was excellent as Rachel. You could see every emotion on her face, and I could really feel what she was feeling. She brought Rachel to life, and she made her the only character I actually cared about.
If you like thrillers you are probably interested this one. I knew what was coming because I read the book, but my daughter had not read the book and she did not guess who the villain was or figure out the ending in advance. Even though it was slow, it did keep you guessing on where it was going.
There is not immediate reason to see the film in the theater. Waiting for the Blu-Ray is fine. I don’t think it will be one of those people can’t stop talking about.
I was disappointed that the movie did not live up to the book I loved so much. I think the way the book was written and how the story was told from multiple characters’ points of view was just too hard to adapt to the screen and make it still thrilling. If you loved the book, then just read it again instead of seeing the movie. I wish I had.
Pass: Lots to like about “The Girl on the Train.” Director Tate Taylor sets a spooky tone from the very first scenes, using a combination of Danny Elfman’s brooding score contrasting with stark silence to create tension. There are plenty of close-ups of the leading players, but they are offset by quick-moving distance shots taken from the perspective of those on the train to keep you guessing as to what is seen and what may be a figment of one’s imagination. Fail: Not much misses here, but some may quibble with a couple things. Firstly, the way the story unfolds in a series of scenes of current day and flashbacks that are separated by chapter-like titles on the screen (which can be hard to follow). Also, there is an unevenness in the acting. Emily Blunt is the strongest of the bunch, but some of the actors with smaller roles seem rather stiff and unbelievable.
Emily Blunt, who is becoming one of my favorite actresses to watch, turns in a great performance in the leading role. While her accent is inconsistent, this is a minor quibble in a performance that is otherwise very powerful. She has to come across as someone the audience is both suspicious of and yet roots for, which is no easy task. Newcomer Haley Bennett, who is physically stunning, brings a realness and a rawness to her performance of Megan. It was a delightful surprise to see Lisa Kudrow in the smaller role of Martha (a key player in unraveling the mystery), playing against type very successfully.
For mystery lovers, this one is right up your alley. If you enjoyed Gone-Girl, you are sure to enjoy “The Girl on the Train.”
This one would be fine on either the big or small screen, so there is no need to rush to a full-priced movie screening. But for fans of Emily Blunt or the best-selling book, it is definitely worth a matinee showing.
While “The Girl on the Train” is not a classic along the lines of the fine mysteries of Alfred Hitchcock, it is a joy to find a thriller that is not overly violent. The scares are more subtle here, conveyed thorough the blurry memories in alcoholic blackouts (until the very end, when things turn dark and bloody). What captivated me most is the way the story kept unfolding with little surprises that helped to keep you guessing as to who might be the guilty party at the center of it all. Kudos to the director and marketing team for not giving too much away in the trailers. “The Girl on the Train” is a film for adults, earning its R-rating through its sexual content and strong language.
★★★★
Laurel Grams, Lawrenceville
★★★★
Paul Tate, Sugar Hill
★★★★
Lights, camera,
questions Test your film knowledge with Michael Clark So, you think you’re good at movie trivia? Every week, we give readers the opportunity to flex their movie muscles by answering five trivia questions from our movie critic, Michael Clark. Congratulations to last week’s winner, Judy Hoffman of Comer. Here are last week’s questions again and the answers: 1. Name a villain played by the same actor to appear in both the original “Star Trek” TV series and a “Star Trek” movie. A: Khan — played by Ricardo Montalban in the first season episode “Space Seed” and in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” 2. Name the last woman to win an acting Oscar for a performance in a black-andwhite film. A: Elizabeth Taylor in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” 3. The story in what movie starring Robert Pattinson ended in the month of September? A: “Remember Me” — ending on September 11, 2001. 4. Name the last person to win an Emmy and an Oscar in the same year. A: Helen Hunt (1998 — “Mad About You” and “As
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Good As It Gets”) 5. “Sling Blade” is set in what U.S. state? A: Arkansas Now, for this week’s questions: 1. In the movie “Get Shorty,” the character played by James Gandolfini wore a series of printed shirts featuring which type of flower? 2. Name a movie adapted from a No.1 New York Times best-selling novel that was directed by Clint Eastwood. 3. Name the last person to win an Oscar for acting for playing a nonfictional character who died over 300 years ago. 4. What was the non-fictional sports team prominently referenced in “Silver Linings Playbook?” 5. Name two movies where Jack Nicholson played a current or former member of the U.S. military. The first person (located within the U.S.) to respond with all of the correct answers receives a prize of an item or items (movie T-shirts, hats, posters, etc.). The winner also gets their name published in the next Weekend section. Please e-mail your answers, along with your name to clarkwriter@mindspring.com. Include “Gwinnett Daily Post Trivia Contest” in the subject line. In the event no one answers all of the questions correctly, the person with the most correct answers submitted by 6 PM the Monday after the contest is posted will be the winner. Only one winner per household is eligible for each 30-day period.
DISC SPOTLIGHT MICHAEL CLARK
Carrie 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Blu-ray (R) Movie:
★★★★
If not for “Carrie,” the literary career of Stephen King might have sputtered out. Given to director Brian de Palma by one of King’s friends, the novel found a second life after the movie became a hit, and the rest is history. Mousy, quiet and the victim of relentless high school bullying, Carrie (Sissy Spacek) is also the daughter of a religious fanatic (Piper Laurie) who mocks and belittles her. The final act remains one of most disturbing in the history of horror.
Disc: ★★★★ Technical specs: aspect ratio: Widescreen (1.85:1/1080p), audio: English (DTS HD-MA 5.1, 2.0 Mono), subtitles: English. Special features include: • New 4K scan of original negative • 5 featurettes • 6 new interviews • Text gallery • Stills galleries including poster art • TV and radio spots • Trailer • First edition slipcover packaging (Scream Factory, $39.99)
COMING SOON TO OWN • “Alice Through the Looking Glass” (Oct. 18): Alice (Mia Wasikowska) returns to Wonderland to help the depressed Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp). (PG) • “Independence Day: Resurgence” (Oct. 18): Twenty years later, aliens invade Earth again; Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman return, and Liam Hemsworth joins the cast. (PG-13) • “Cafe Society” (Oct. 18): Woody Allen’s comedy-drama follows a 1930s East Coaster (Jesse Eisenberg) to Hollywood and back; Blake Lively and Kristen Stewart also star. (PG-13) • “Lights Out” (Oct. 25): A woman (Teresa Palmer) fears her younger brother is facing the same terror that made her question her sanity. (PG-13) • “Bad Moms” (Nov. 1): Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn play said mothers, who decide to leave their responsibilities behind and cut loose. (R)
• “Nine Lives” (Nov. 1): After being transferred into the body of a cat, a billionaire (Kevin Spacey) tries to make
amends to his neglected family. (PG) • “Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders” (Nov. 1): This new animated feature boasts the voices of 1960s “Batman” television series stars Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar. (PG) • “Billions: Season One” (Nov. 8): A federal attorney (Paul Giamatti) sets his sights on the hedge-fund king (Damian Lewis) who employs the lawyer’s wife (Maggie Siff). (Not rated) • “Finding Dory” (Nov. 15): In the sequel to Disney-Pixar’s animated “Finding Nemo,” fish Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres) sets out to find her parents. (PG) • “Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season” (Nov. 15): The fate of Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is a major element of this most recent round of the hugely popular HBO series. (Not rated)