Director: Tate Taylor.
Starring: Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Rebecca Ferguson, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, Edgar Ramirez, Allison Janney.
It's another highly anticipated, hyped novel-to-film adaptation, but there's something quite different about this one, being that Paula Hawkins' bestselling novel was only published last February starting at the No.1 slot for 13 consecutive weeks on the New York Times bestsellers list, only to return to No.1 again this January. It held the No.1 spot in the U.K. hardback chart for 20 weeks, the longest ever and is estimated to have already sold 11 million copies by August this year. So it's not surprising studios wanted to get hold of a screenplay and make the movie.
I haven't read the book (no surprise there) but I can imagine the novel being the usual "better than the film" and that the suspense created by reading would be more intense. It's a great thriller with such an intriguing story surrounding the mysterious disappearance of one of the key characters.
The story follows three ladies those lives are entwined by seduction and deceit, obsession and tragedy, but is pivotal to raving alcoholic, Rachel, brilliantly portrayed by Emily Blunt, those separation from husband leads her on a disillusioned spiral, out of control.
Rebecca Ferguson plays the new wife Anna, who's under the constant watchful drunken eye of Rachel who doesn't necessarily know the understanding of keeping her distance. My this-year's-favourite, Haley Bennett graces us again with her talent, being her second film out at the same time in Magnificent Seven. It's actually hard to believe they're both the same actress. She play's Megan, the alluring seductress with a care-free, almost destructive nature.
Besides the leading ladies, there's a really good cast giving good performances including Luke Evans, Justin Theroux, Edgar Ramirez and Allison Janney. All of which having key parts to the unfolding mystery. Director Tate Taylor does a slick job, creating a similar atmosphere to Gone Girl, which I think even the books have be compared, though actually quite different.
It's more than just a "what happen?" or "who done it?" Story, throwing a few twists here and there to layer the enigma which all adds up towards the end. Unfortunately, whilst not completely expecting certain story elements to happen, the conclusion isn't so hard to predict and I wonder if the novel was able to conceal the secret more so.
Really curious to know what fans of the novel think and if being set in New York as oppose to originally in London annoys people. I can't think of any good reason to change that apart from maybe not wanting to fly to the UK when they could simply swap the cities.
Danny Elfman does an enchanting score as he always does, but I'm new to this style of Elfman music using chimes and soft beats. Quite similar to something Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross would have done, however, nothing was wholly memorable after the film had finished.
It's unfortunately one of those films where once you've seen it, there no going back, no re-watchability purely because you're spoiled knowing the outcome but doesn't have the same enjoyment of films like Se7en or The Usual Suspects.
It's a good film, good mystery story but it doesn't live up to the hype. Maybe the anticipation has ruin it for me and maybe I would have preferred the book. Either way, it's a worthy watch but nothing to get over excited about.
Running Time: 8
The Cast: 8
Performance: 8
Direction: 8
Story: 7
Script: 7
Creativity: 7
Soundtrack: 7
Job Description: 6
The Extra Bonus Point: 0
Would I buy the Blu-ray?: Maybe
66% 6/10
