“The Morning it all began; it began like any other morning…”
Derailed begins its voyage at a slow pace, builds up and by the final twist comes to a halt just as a well anticipated train ride. Even though some parts were predictable, over-all the movie was the thriller that I hoped it would be.
Charlie Shine (Clive Owen) and Lucinda Harris (Jennifer Anniston) meet on a commuter train one morning in the city of Chicago. Innocent conversation leads to an evening drink. Both are married and quite obviously attracted to each other and their attraction is irresistible. They find a cab and a nearby motel, where they are soon entangled on the bed in a passionate kiss. The door blasts open and in comes a stranger, LaRoche(Vincent Cassel) there to rob them. As if money were not enough, he beats Charlie, breaking his nose and repeatedly rapes Lucinda.
Once the two wake up, they realize what has happened and are ashamed, embarrassed and knowing that they cannot go to the police, lest their spouses find out that they were at a motel (and what they were doing). They go back to their lives. Until Charlie gets a phone call from LaRoche, demanding $20k. The movie goes on with more threats and more violence, until Charlie has to decide what to do.
I felt this movie was interesting and it was the thriller that I hoped it would be. There were quite a few plot holes if you cared to notice and follow those. I found that the arrangement/involvement of the main characters, their infidelity, were quite predictable as were some of the subplot stories such as Charlie’s ill daughter.
The most impressive element of the movie was Vincent Cassel as LaRoche, who changed from the detestable common thug rapist to a quaint French fellow “colleague” of Charlie. With the charm of a snake coiled to attack but that sweet demeanor just before the strike. Yes, he is quite amazing from the first introduction to the end. In my opinion, he was truly the most unique and well-established character of the movie.
Anniston as Lucinda was good, but lacks the depth to show real grief and passion that I would have expected. This role was quite different than what she normally portrays but here she played herself, . Charlie is a very handsome man and plays to that in this film. For me, he just lacked the strength and gumption in the first two thirds of the firm and when his strength was needed to resolve the conflict for good, it came but was lackluster and a bit unbelievable.
I do highly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a good thriller. See the movie with the spirit that I did, to be entertained. Do look out for Vincent Cassel. He reminds me of Edward Norton, who plays both sides of the coin with great aplomb. As those of you who regularly read my reviews will know; this is reason alone to watch Derailed.