Last Passenger

Saw this as a preview at Pinewood Studios recently and was caught by surprise at how accomplished it is as a first movie. Director and co- screenwriter, Omid Nooshin has crafted an intelligent and genuinely suspenseful take on a (to be fair) not-so-original idea – the runaway train.

Populated by believable characters, the train journey gets underway and a clever introduction of the various relationships ensues. The number of passengers on board dwindles to an eclectic few, seemingly in real time, before this familiar and very British late train to Kent is invaded by the plot of a Hollywood Blockbuster. And this merger is the heart and soul of the piece – a 'what if?' scenario that sneaks out of nowhere, pulling the rug on what you thought you were watching.

If I had to level any major criticism it would be that the films ultimate ambitions are occasionally betrayed by its lack of budget, but don't let that put you off – a number of creative decisions were probably based around what couldn't be afforded and, in my opinion, are improved by the inability to throw lavish visual effects at the screen. What we are left with is a taut, claustrophobic thriller that's hard to second guess.

The film makers influences are easy to spot, the 'Dual' like scenario and the rattling interplay between a collection of disparate ('Jaws'- like) characters screams early Spielberg, whilst the slow build of simmering tension, as the reality of the situation takes hold, evokes the sensibilities of Hitchcock, as does the Herrmann-esque score. The setting doesn't stray from the confines of the train, which in a way becomes a character itself, although thankfully it never feels too static, nor becomes stale. This is a thriller that takes its time to present a credible realism – all the better so that when the brief flashes of chaos and action do erupt we are invested in the characters lives and the predicament they face becomes a life threatening battle for survival with, only too real, motive and consequence.

To reveal the details of some of the emotionally charged scenes would be remiss, save to say that Dougray Scott turns in a performance of restrained gravitas that recalls the promise of his earlier work. In fact the cast seem uniformly intent on selling the danger and urgency of the piece.

All in all, I found Last Passenger to be a thoroughly entertaining film that I'll be seeking out again when it's released on the big screen in the UK.

I have just watched this movie and although it's never going to be a classic I considered it a perfectly good watch for its 1hr 36 minutes. The premise of the movie is not original nor is the progression right through to the end but as a complete movie it delivers most respectfully. Naturally you will get the anorak geeks on here slating the movie for technical inaccuracies but if I wanted to know the exact workings of a train I'd not have any friends and sit on a train platform with a Thermos of tea and a note pad like these 'Billy-No-Mates' do. For normal people I want to just be immersed in a film for 1.5 hours. I thought the acting was OK and contrary to one reviewer from Bermuda, Dougray Scott's voice is clear and not a mumble, nor is is it a strange accent. Typical of someone not from the UK thinking all Scots should sound like either Billy Connolly or Mrs Doubtfire! Yes I sound like Dick Van Dyke from Mary Poppins because I come from London! All in all a good film to pass an afternoon with.

From the start Last Passenger feels like the kind of suspense film you don't see any more. There is character development. And relationships I care about between the people on the train. I was really interested in how these strangers are getting along when along comes the threat. I still had The Birds on my mind and have always loved how the you get on the edge of your seat simply on the love interest alone, well before the birds start to attack. Versus something like Hostel where they rush to the danger, don't set up the characters, you don't care what happens to them, and you'd just like them to hurry up and live or die so you can go home. Last Passenger gets back to the Hitchcockian "build". I really liked Dougray Scott. I had only seen him in smaller roles but he totally owns this film. I also really like Kara Tointon who I hadn't seen before and I not sure why. She's great. Even the little boy is fantastic. He actually reminded me of the kid that played Danny in The Shining. Just a little less creepy. Anyway... good acting, cool story and a fun idea.

I was bought this as a fun gift from a pound shop and did not think it would be up to much but my wife and I thought we would give it a try one night. So pleased we did as its very enjoyable gripping drama, it had some great character build up at the start and from then the tension built to a good climax.

I thought the camera angles was excellent (like a scene with someone battering a door and the camera followed each ram) and the effects were spot on without being to over the top.

On the whole a really enjoyable movie with good acting its just a shame a movie like this is not as well received as some of the big Hollywood movies that are sometimes a huge let-down. I think this movie should have had more publicity when released as I had not heard of it before and its such a shame to not see a movie as good as this do better.

There is nothing wrong with this movie and it's a darned sight better than many others out there. Good acting, excellent FX (for it's low budget), good suspense, explosions, interesting characters - a love story & a cute kid. What more do people want?

I really don't understand the angry hate being thrown at that poor child actor - guys, he's a 7 year old CHILD! ROFL Are you expecting an Oscar- worthy performance? I actually think he did an outstanding job and was very believable unlike many of the Hollywood child-faves who so often come across as way too adult and precocious to convince me.

As for all the high-horse comments about the accuracy of certain details - come on... really? Personally I couldn't give a hoot about what trains run where or how railway couplings really work and know nothing about London's train service or how far things are from other things in jolly old England. If you do then congratulations, you know stuff I don't. But it doesn't really matter in the slightest for this movie and viewers like me don't know or care. It's fiction, roll with it, I don't know of any movie that's 100% believable or factual, not even documentaries.

Anyway - if you're looking for a light thriller that's well produced and a little different rent it and enjoy. It's not the greatest thriller ever made but it's not a bad little flick.