Night Train

Brenda Blethyn (52) and John Hurt (58) are the lovers in this late life romance. It is very much like a stage play and the story line is so fragile that you are required to champion the actors and disregard brief not too well done action sequences that move the story along.

It is low budget but the filming is very competent. I found it a little hard to believe that a middle class (at best) middle aged introverted woman (Blethyn) could suddenly appear decked out like Lauren Bacall in the train sequences--where did she get the expensive clothes etc...ditto for John Hurt who had been working in a slaughter house disposing of offal--although his career had actually been as a rip off shady bookkeeper-- still not the evening clothes type.

The model train stuff was hard to swallow but central to the story--what can I say all in all it works as enjoyable entertainment what more do you want? The narrow focus of the action (to the romance and elopement) helps make it low key and relaxing even though there are scenes of people being burned alive etc... ODD movie in this regard.

Tacked on items like the women's lingerie thief reveal the fundamental naive amateur nature of the writing/production. But that's what gives this B production it's appeal.

RECOMMEND

Night Train is a brilliant and sensitive film. It is directed in a wonderfully subtle way by John Lynch and acted by a distinguished ensemble cast which includes the great Pauline Flanagan as Mrs. Mooney. John Hurt and Brenda Blethyn could not be better cast in their roles of Poole the conman and Alice the shy bookworm. Their blossoming romance is a delight to experience and puts one in mind of another great film, Brief Encounter. The chemistry between Hurt and Blethyn is unsurpassed, in my opinion, particularly in the scene where she agrees to run away with him. Brenda has never been better, before or since, as she avoids the usual histrionics in a performance devoid of artifice and understated to sheer perfection. Director take a bow.

Delighted to see that Night Train is now available on DVD in the USA and Canada on the Madacy label and that it has also been re-released in the UK. Has anyone seen it on TV in the UK? The music by Adam Lynch is superb. Great performances, great direction, great soundtrack, great movie. 10 out of 10.

Delighted to find this has been picked up by Lifetime Movies and will get the exposure it deserves. Sensitive performances and well-photographed travellogue plus an odd subplot make this a winner. Blethyn in particular is her usual talented self and somehow we even begin to see John Hurt as handsome thru her eyes--no small feat!

Very low-key tale with a wonderful performance by John Hurt in particular. Also a movie worth watching for model train-buffs as Hurt's character has one of the most beautiful train sets ever seen on film!

Shot on location in Leeds NIGHT TRAIN also confirmed something I've suspected for quite some time: all British cities really DO look the same!

A heart-warming little romance, with spot-on casting and great acting to paper over the cracks in the story line. Hurt plays the 'man of mystery' to perfection: "up to something strange in the attic".

A well observed Dublin also plays a part, as the setting for all or most of the location shots.

One quibble: has anyone ever built an extensive model railway in a rented room? That kind of hobby goes with a fixed abode! But no more implausible than John Hurt playing a romantic lead....

But quibbles aside, Hurt & Blethyn are superb, as usual, and deliver a delightful and diverting entertainment. Simply enjoy!