The Girl on the Train (2016)
Since I didn’t even like the original novel, I was in a great position to watch the film adaptation of The Girl on the Train. I had a completely open mind and couldn’t possibly be disappointed. It was entertaining, and I really appreciated Emily Blunt’s performance. A naturally beautiful, and some would argue glamorous, woman, she took pains to make herself look as frumpy, irresponsible, and train-wreck-ish (pun intended) and the novel’s protagonist was described. Noticeably more overweight than in her other movies (her pregnancy came in handy), she went without makeup or styled hair and was very believable in her alcoholism. Either drinking, drunk, or hungover, she truly personified the “unreliable narrator” present in most domestic thrillers.
One of the main differences between a book and the film adaptation is the lack of reader imagination. When you read the book, the characters are face-less except for the ones you give them. When you see the movie, movie stars give prejudices to the characters, even if they don’t mean to. I remember seeing a movie with Tom Skerritt, and not having seen many of his films yet, I said aloud, “Well, he’s not the bad guy!” My mom stifled a giggle, telling me later, when it was revealed that he was the villain, that he usually played villains. To her, there was no mystery in the film, because she knew upon seeing Skerrit that he was the surprise bad guys. My point is, when you read The Girl on the Train, there’s a chance you won’t immediately guess the surprises of the plot – a slim one, I grant you. But seeing everything puts a different slant on it. Who do you immediately trust, Emily Blunt or Justin Theroux?
Haley Bennett, who’s embraced her maturity in the next phase of her career, plays Megan, the woman Emily spies on while riding on the train every morning and evening. Rebecca Ferguson, also dons an American accent alongside her British costar (yes, Emily Blunt is British, folks) and cross-markets the film between England and America. The original novel was English, but I suppose Hollywood thought audiences wouldn’t care as much if the characters had “funny” accents. Allison Janney is the tough and smart police detective, and I really liked her interpretation of the dialogue. I also loved seeing Lisa Kudrow for a few minutes; my goodness she’s aged well!
All in all, fans of the book might not like it. Die-hard fans of any book are always a bit skeptical of film adaptations because they have their own ideas of the characters and favorite parts of the story. Ironically, I think I enjoyed it better because I didn’t like the novel and was able to take it for what it was: a harmless thriller.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Because of the unreliable protagonist, there are frequent POV shots with a shaky camera or unexpected swerves for the “thriller” atmosphere, and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to sex scenes and violence, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Emily Blunt movies here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Paula Hawkins' original novel here!
One of the main differences between a book and the film adaptation is the lack of reader imagination. When you read the book, the characters are face-less except for the ones you give them. When you see the movie, movie stars give prejudices to the characters, even if they don’t mean to. I remember seeing a movie with Tom Skerritt, and not having seen many of his films yet, I said aloud, “Well, he’s not the bad guy!” My mom stifled a giggle, telling me later, when it was revealed that he was the villain, that he usually played villains. To her, there was no mystery in the film, because she knew upon seeing Skerrit that he was the surprise bad guys. My point is, when you read The Girl on the Train, there’s a chance you won’t immediately guess the surprises of the plot – a slim one, I grant you. But seeing everything puts a different slant on it. Who do you immediately trust, Emily Blunt or Justin Theroux?
Haley Bennett, who’s embraced her maturity in the next phase of her career, plays Megan, the woman Emily spies on while riding on the train every morning and evening. Rebecca Ferguson, also dons an American accent alongside her British costar (yes, Emily Blunt is British, folks) and cross-markets the film between England and America. The original novel was English, but I suppose Hollywood thought audiences wouldn’t care as much if the characters had “funny” accents. Allison Janney is the tough and smart police detective, and I really liked her interpretation of the dialogue. I also loved seeing Lisa Kudrow for a few minutes; my goodness she’s aged well!
All in all, fans of the book might not like it. Die-hard fans of any book are always a bit skeptical of film adaptations because they have their own ideas of the characters and favorite parts of the story. Ironically, I think I enjoyed it better because I didn’t like the novel and was able to take it for what it was: a harmless thriller.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Because of the unreliable protagonist, there are frequent POV shots with a shaky camera or unexpected swerves for the “thriller” atmosphere, and that will make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to sex scenes and violence, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Emily Blunt movies here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of Paula Hawkins' original novel here!