Review of TransSiberian (2008) by Rene D — 24 Apr 2012

I am a huge fan of director Brad Anderson. I loved his previous 4 films, particularly Session 9 and The Machinist. When his last movie Transsiberian was released I was keen to watch it. Time slipped away and I only now got around to it.

Long story short, I was underwhelmed. It's a story of murder, drugs and corruption on the Transsiberian railway. Woodey Harrelson and Emily Mortimer are a couple who find themselves caught up in it all and Ben Kingsley plays the detective suspicious of them.

Throughout the entire film I felt like something wasn't right. I think the Americans are out of place and perhaps it would have been a more credible film with European actors. Set in a baron, stark and unforgiving landscape the film looks great and was atmospherically effective.

.. but the story was bland and resolution was boring. I am surprised at all of the critical acclaim the film has received. No director can hit the spot with every film and hopefully this is Anderson's hiccup.

His next film is a post-apocalyptic horror, so fingers are crossed.