It’s hard to judge films that were originally books, but then later adapted into films. Hollywood gets its grubby hands on a good novel, with a great story and cast of characters, and turns it into a conventional, commercial money-making machine. This might be fun for casual viewers, but for people that are actively searching for a good film, these films become an anti-thesis for their needs. The Girl on the Train is one such film, adapted from a good book, into a bad film.
How to Download The Girl on the Train (2016)
You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. Check out also other films with Emily Blunt, for example, The Devil Wears Prada, A Quiet Place, Marry Poppins Returns, or Jungle Cruise.
The Movie Review
The Girl on the Train is a 2016 psychological thriller film directed by Tate Taylor and based on the novel of the same name by Paula Hawkins. The film follows the story of a divorced woman, Rachel Watson, it is heavily centered around Rachel’s obsession with a couple whose house she passes every day on her commute, and we see things from her perspective as she struggles to find out the truth about their lives.
The plot is filled with cliches and is quite slow-paced, which makes it difficult for the audience to stay engaged throughout the film. Additionally, the film’s ending is quite underwhelming and unsatisfying, failing to deliver the payoff that the audience was expecting.
The writing of the film is quite weak and fails to keep the audience engaged. The dialogue is often clunky and the pacing of the story is uneven. There are many scenes that feel unnecessary and drag on for too long, which makes it hard to stay interested. Additionally, the characters are not well-developed and their motivations are not clearly explained, which makes it hard for the audience to connect with them.
The acting in The Girl on the Train is not particularly noteworthy. Emily Blunt, who plays the lead character Rachel Watson, tries her best to bring depth to the one-dimensional character, but her performance falls short. Her portrayal is quite one-dimensional, making it hard for the audience to relate to her character.
Additionally, the supporting cast, which includes actors such as Rebecca Ferguson, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, and Allison Janney, is quite forgettable and their performances are not particularly noteworthy. Their characters are not well-developed and their motivations are not clearly explained, which makes it difficult for the audience to connect with them.
While there are a few shots that are visually interesting, such as a few close-ups of the lead character that help to convey her emotional state, the overall visual style of the film is quite bland. The film lacks any standout visual moments or unique visual techniques that would make it stand out.
The camera work is quite basic and doesn’t add much to the overall experience. The film also lacks suspenseful camera angles and movement which could have helped to create a more thrilling atmosphere and enhance the psychological thriller aspect of the film.
The film is shot in a quite straightforward way, not taking advantage of the potential of the genre to create a more immersive and suspenseful experience. The lighting is also quite average and doesn’t add much to the overall atmosphere of the film.
The Music
The score, composed by Danny Elfman, is quite generic and doesn’t stand different from other psychological thrillers. It lacks the tension and suspense that one would expect from a thriller film, and fails to enhance the film’s emotional moments. The music is not particularly memorable and does not leave a lasting impression on the audience. Additionally, the film’s use of music feels quite forced and does not add any depth to the story. The film’s music and score don’t serve to add any emotional depth to the story.
They fail to create a sense of unease, despair, or any other feeling that could have helped to create a more immersive experience. The use of music in the film feels like an afterthought, added to the film without much thought or consideration. It breaks my heart saying this because music by Danny Elfman is always a godsend for any film it is a part of.
Verdict
The Girl on the Train is a below-average psychological thriller film that fails to live up to its potential, with a predictable and unoriginal story, weak writing, forgettable acting, and average at best cinematography and music. The story is slow-paced, the characters are not well-developed, and the music is forced, meaning that it does not enhance the emotional moments of the film. The film is not engaging and fails to deliver on its potential, making it hard to recommend to others.
