The Girl on the Train is based on a novel of the same name by Paula Hawkins. The premise of the movie concerns a divorcee, Rachel Watson (played by Emily Blunt), who becomes entangled in a missing persons investigation. As the events unfold, Blunt’s character realizes that the events overlap with her own life.
Many of the essential elements of the movie have been covered before: missing persons, violent husbands, a ‘Rear Window’-style watcher. These are enhanced by extra layers, such as alcoholic black-outs and Memento style memory recalls. All of this looks good on paper and these plot elements are sharply brought into focus through some excellent cinematography (the movie is very dark and stylish to look at), and fine acting. What is missing from the mix, and perhaps because it is a mix, is a continuing layer of suspense. Given the old-fashioned style to the storyline it is pertinent to speculate how Hitchcock, Polanski or even Scorsese (in a Shutter Island moment) would have handled the script.
With the actors, Emily Blunt succeeds in playing a fragile alcoholic, whose life has little meaning other than playing the voyeur on endless train journeys to and from New York City. Also convincing is Justin Theroux, portraying the ‘caring’ husband, and former West Wing actor Allison Janney, who plays the investigating police officer. Well-acted as these parts are, a little more character development would have helped to draw the viewer in and assist with, the running theme of this reviewer’s critique, dramatic tension.
What works best about the filming and direction are the flashbacks and how the interrelate to the narrative. These are clear enough, although the hops around with time can be a little confusing. The violence is limited and understated when it occurs, which gives the dramatic moments a sense of menace. At other times the moments of intended thriller-strong drama slip into melodrama, which dilutes down the tension too much. The movie is peppered with sex scenes, most of which are short lasting and sometimes unnecessary.
Overall, this review gives the movies three out of five. It’s enjoyable and well put together, but it lacks enough gripping suspense to put it among the best movie thrillers.
