Girl On THe Train Reviewed
The Girl on the Train is based off the 2015 book of the same name, and if you didn’t read the book you are probably in the minority. The novel debuted in the number one spot on the New York Time bestseller list and held that spot for a total of 15 weeks. I didn't read the book, but I overheard a conversation of some people in the theater who did. Apparently they didn’t alter the story too much in the movie, so those looking for a faithful adaptation will find one here. The question then becomes if the book was so popular, why is the movie so boring?
Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) rides the commuter train into New York City every day. On her way to the city she always sees one particularly beautiful couple doing whatever it is beautiful people do — going out on the balcony in their underwear, cuddling, having sex in front of an open window—ya know, the usual. Well one day Rachel sees something that rocks her little voyeuristic world. With the help of a water bottle full of vodka she decides to get off the train and do something about it.
The chief problem with The Girl on the Train may be copycat syndrome, as it is impossible not to compare this movie to 2014’s Gone Girl. The tone, the way the movie is shot, the music, the camera filters making everything seem a little gray, even the name invites comparison. Part of that problem may be in the story itself, but most of the comparison rests squarely on the shoulders of director Tate Taylor (who also did The Help). Whether he was inspired by Gone Girl, had intense pressures from the studio, or was otherwise artistically inclined, The Girl on the Train comes off as Gone Girl lite.
Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) rides the commuter train into New York City every day. On her way to the city she always sees one particularly beautiful couple doing whatever it is beautiful people do — going out on the balcony in their underwear, cuddling, having sex in front of an open window—ya know, the usual. Well one day Rachel sees something that rocks her little voyeuristic world. With the help of a water bottle full of vodka she decides to get off the train and do something about it.
The chief problem with The Girl on the Train may be copycat syndrome, as it is impossible not to compare this movie to 2014’s Gone Girl. The tone, the way the movie is shot, the music, the camera filters making everything seem a little gray, even the name invites comparison. Part of that problem may be in the story itself, but most of the comparison rests squarely on the shoulders of director Tate Taylor (who also did The Help). Whether he was inspired by Gone Girl, had intense pressures from the studio, or was otherwise artistically inclined, The Girl on the Train comes off as Gone Girl lite.
I guess they couldn't afford Margot Robbie
That is not to take away anything from the Emily Blunt, who is the best part of the movie. Her character Rachel appears to be trying to get over her divorce by relying on alcohol. I spent a lot of the movie feeling sorry for Rachel and Blunt is very good at drawing the audience's sympathy. But as the movie progresses it becomes less about the character and more about the story, which is off the rails crazy. By the third act you will find yourself wondering what the hell just happened and how much of it is real because this girl keeps blacking out. All the narrative deception disguised as an interesting plot twist makes it impossible to sympathize with your main character.
Emily Blunt’s performance may be the sole bright spot of the movie but it is still not enough to save her movie unlike Rosamund Pike. Pike starred in the titular role of Gone Girl and her performance was heralded by many — she was even nominated for an Academy Award. Gone Girl had crazy plot twists as well but they all seemed plausible in the sense of the narrative, by the end of The Girl on the Train the audience was laughing at what was happening on screen.
To me this story suffered from the same problem as director Tate Taylor’s other movies based on popular books;The Help also felt melodramatic and more like a Lifetime movie than something for the theaters. There are those out there that really liked The Help, and the way the story was told. If you are one of those people and also happened to like Gone Girl, so much so that you would love to see it again but with slight differences, then by all means see The Girl on the Train. For everyone else: you’re better off waiting to see this one when it comes out on a movie channel. C-
Emily Blunt’s performance may be the sole bright spot of the movie but it is still not enough to save her movie unlike Rosamund Pike. Pike starred in the titular role of Gone Girl and her performance was heralded by many — she was even nominated for an Academy Award. Gone Girl had crazy plot twists as well but they all seemed plausible in the sense of the narrative, by the end of The Girl on the Train the audience was laughing at what was happening on screen.
To me this story suffered from the same problem as director Tate Taylor’s other movies based on popular books;The Help also felt melodramatic and more like a Lifetime movie than something for the theaters. There are those out there that really liked The Help, and the way the story was told. If you are one of those people and also happened to like Gone Girl, so much so that you would love to see it again but with slight differences, then by all means see The Girl on the Train. For everyone else: you’re better off waiting to see this one when it comes out on a movie channel. C-
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