Review of Deidra & Laney Rob a Train (2017) by Kj P — 30 Mar 2017

Everything about this film is terrifically average. Deidra and Laney Rob a Train is the type of film to watch when there is nothing better that you haven't already seen. When it comes to original films, you can't help but feel that it's not entirely original when it steals plot points from other classics, but that's just something the new-age audiences have to accept. For what it is, this is a perfectly serviceable film for teenagers to enjoy. Sadly, I'm not too sure an older audience can really latch on to these characters and it's certainly not for younger audiences. Although I enjoyed the story surrounding this film quite a bit, it's hard not to see the cheese seeping through some of the scenery. Here are my thoughts on Deidra and Laney Rob a Train.

This Netflix feature film follows two sisters as they decide to rob a train in order to bail their mother out of prison and earn money for the oldest to go to college. The relationships throughout this family, whether it be between the two sisters, the way they talk to their father, or the way they take care of their brother, all felt authentic. At its core, this is not a film about robbing trains, but more about saving their livelihood. From beginning to end, this film has a message that really shouldn't be viewed by younger audiences, due to the fact that it's not really something you'd want your kids to do, but I won't let that detract from whether or not this is a bad film. This premise is solid and the payoff is worth the wait, but the rest of the film falls short in almost every regard.

From the train robbing to the investigation, everything about this story felt authentic and believable; However, the dialogue and actions of each character outside of these aspects really had me shaking my head. Each and every scene that took place in the school felt fake. Never once did I believe that actual people would say the things that some of the students do here, and that also translated into almost every character outside of the two core sisters (and their mother). I found myself wishing that it would focus more on Deidra and Laney, because everyone else seemed less interesting. For these reasons, I loved almost every scene involving them and found myself wanting to tap into the screenplay throughout others. While I have issues with most of the supporting cast, the standout here is David Sullivan.

For every moment that was off-putting to me, each time actor Lance Gray appeared on screen felt like a saving grace. His character and his interaction with everyone was great. His character added levity wherever needed and brought a sense of adventure to the film in times of need. His presence made this film feel like it was moving at a brisk pace, because I feel this film will feel slow to some viewers. Each of the core characters give some very solid performances and that is truly what saved this film from an excess of over-acting from the supporting cast.

In the end, it's as if this film was made by a director from a children's television show and tried to make their own teenage version of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The tones throughout this film were consistently jumbled. I found myself engaged in a thrilling train sequence, only to then be thrown off by a cheesy bullying scene to follow. Deidra and Laney Rob a Train has a great premise, but the script does need some work and the overall film is average at best. Ashleigh Murray delivers a very solid performance and her character made me want to continue watching, so that's saying something I guess. This is a film that had much more potential than what it presented, but it's an okay time if you have nothing else to check out.