By Graceland Geek

Transsiberian
Directed by Brad Anderson
Starring Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, Ben Kingsley, Thomas Kretschmann, Kate Mara, Eduardo Noriega
Rated R
Release Date: July 18, 2008

Transsiberian is a gritty and dread-inducing thriller that evokes your worst nightmare as a tourist. Brad Anderson’s film is unique and left me feeling like I actually took the Trans-Siberia Expressway. His careful use of location mixed with this unknown world, Anderson carefully crafts an invigorating character-driven drama.

The film is an uncommonly engrossing experience revolving around a renowned train trip that people used to dream about taking,

Our main characters are an American couple, Roy (Woody Harrelson) and Jessie (Emily Mortimer). Both decide to return home the long way from their recent mission trip in Pekin. They meet another couple, Carlos (Eduardo Noriega) and Abby (Kate Mara), with whom they quickly form that tenuous bond that often unites fellow travelers away from home.

When Roy gets separated from the train at a stopover, Jessie begins to realize that their new friends aren’t exactly who or what they seem to be. But the real dangers of their unforgettable trip have only begun as they run into Russian cops (Ben Kingsley and Thomas Kretschmann), mobsters, and locals all fitting into a tale of deception and murder.

I really liked this film due to its ability, as I mentioned earlier, to really take you to this world and believably thrust you into its majesty. Also, I really dugg Emily Mortimer’s performance because she really had most of the brunt in this film. She really gives a good look at a woman who is fixing her past but also being tempestuous with her future. Her backstory develops as part of the movie’s first half characterization and we find out about her past and things she had left behind, coinciding with her belief that you “take away all my demons and my angels will disappear.”

Other actors I liked in this movie were Eduardo Noriega’s performance as the mysterious tourist, he brought a tempting sensuality to the scene and really made for an intriguing alternative for Mortimer’s character, Jessie. Ben Kingsley is also great as he lends his skills with masterful Russian accent. Also Woody Harrelson isn’t bad either and makes for a convincing anxious tourist excited to see something new.

As a recap I think this movie is one of Anderson’s best films and if you liked any of his previous ones, such as The Machinist or Session 9, then you will really like this movie a lot. The traditional mystery and intrigue flow through this film and make for one very compelling drama.