The Girl On The Train: Trying To Stay On Track

Rating: 3 stars

Director: Tate Taylor

Screenplay: Erin Cressida Wilson

Starring: Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, Édgar Ramírez, Allison Janney, Lisa Kudrow, Laura Pepron.

Runtime: 112 minutes

Paula Hawkins’ best selling novel “The Girl On The Train” was a real page-turner but did director Tate Taylor’s (The Help) adaptation live up to the fans’ expectation?

Emily Blunt gives a perfectly reckless performance as Rachel Watson, the unhinged alcoholic with a constant obsession over her ex-husband and past life, which dismantled after being unable to have a child. Blunt’s portrayal heightens Rachel’s character from paper to screen, as she excellently adds to the expected deranged behaviour and infatuation with the perfect couple she watches from the train window everyday.

When the beautiful blonde woman, Megan Hipwell (Haley Bennett) does something unimaginable then disappears, Rachel jumps at the chance to be immersed in something other than her and vodka, by befriending the husband, Scott Hipwell (Luke Evans) to solve the mystery. Coincidentally this happens to involve her ex (Justin Theroux), his new wife (Rebecca Ferguson) and child, who live two doors down.

The plot generally stays close to the novel, however has adapted itself to the Hollywood criteria to sell the film. Certain key elements from Hawkins’ book are left out to meet the 112-minute mark and the setting is changed from London to New York. Another Hollywood element is an all-star cast: a cameo from Lisa Kudrow, the beautiful blondes and broody men, paired with picturesque scenes.

Changing the setting was not aesthetically needed. When reading the book, fans pictured the world Hawkins created and altering the film means that expectations may not have been met. Though up-state New York still gives the story it’s eerie-feel, it doesn’t give it the same feeling that the London-set novel did.

The sub-par script and confusing time transitions are made up for by strong performances from each actor and the shocking play of the climactic point. Adapting a novel to screen always comes with added pressure and criticism, but director Taylor has managed to do a relatively good job.