Derailed

If you’re ever looking for a film that takes you on a wild ride from bad decisions to worst case scenarios, Derailed will have you strapped in tight and you'll come thanking me for the recommendation. Directed by Mikael Hafstrom, this film left me both tense and exhausted by the end, but not necessarily in the way you might expect from a thriller. It’s one of those movies that keeps you glued to the screen, despite occasionally making you shout at the characters for being a little too gullible for their own good.

Synopsis (Spoilers)

The film follows Charles Schine (Clive Owen), a seemingly average man with a crumbling marriage and a very demanding job. His world spins out of control after he meets Lucinda (Jennifer Aniston) on a train. Both are married but lustfully drawn to each other and before you know it, they’re sneaking off to a hotel to cheat on their spouses. But just when you think this is going to be a typical infidelity story where the lustful.souls satisfy their desires and get away with it, things take a dark turn.

LaRoche, a brutal criminal, breaks into their hotel room, robs them and violently assaults Lucinda. From here, the film spirals as LaRoche begins blackmailing Charles, demanding more and more money and Charles’ life completely derails as the money he's giving to laRoche is the one he and his wife’s been saving for their daughter's hospital bill. The situation escalates until Charles is pushed to the brink, fighting to get out from under LaRoche’s threats and save his family from financial ruin, all while keeping the affair a secret.

My Review and Rating

This film is a thriller that starts off simple enough but quickly drags you into a mess of blackmail, violence, and of course some really bad choices. Let’s talk about Clive Owen’s character, Charles, for a moment. I found myself yelling, “Why, Charles, why?” on multiple occasions as he made one poor decision after another. Sure, he’s caught in a terrifying situation, but his choices? Yikes. It felt like watching a slow motion train wreck (pun intended).

Anyway, the casting here was interesting. Clive Owen does a solid job as the everyman who’s completely in over his head. He makes you feel sorry for him, but at the same time, you wonder how he ever thought the drama was going to end well.

Jennifer Aniston, who I'm used to seeing in lighter roles, plays Lucinda with a mix of charm and mystery, though her character could have used more depth. Vincent Cassel, however, steals the show. He’s absolutely terrifying as the ruthless LaRoche and every scene he’s in feels like a ticking time bomb. I was especially scared for Charles' wife and daughter than I was for Charles.

Now, here’s where the criticism comes in, and it’s hard not to poke fun at it. For a guy who works in advertising, Charles doesn’t seem to be great at reading situations. Like, if you’re being blackmailed for cash and the first few times you pay don’t make the problem go away, maybe rethink your strategy. Also, the number of plot twists toward the end felt a little over-the-top, to the point where I almost expected Charles to wake up and realize it was all an effing dream.

Still, the film did have some strong moments of tension and suspense. The initial hotel scene is incredibly intense and the stakes feel high throughout. But for a thriller, it sometimes took itself a little too seriously when some of the plot points bordered on the absurd. I found myself more frustrated with Charles than scared for him, but good thing there was enough to keep me engaged until the end.

This film has its flaws but it’s not without its thrills. It’s the kind of movie that will make you want to bite hard on something, not just because of the danger the characters are in but because you'll feel like reaching into the screen to shake some sense into the characters. That said, If you’re looking for a tense, twist filled ride, I recommend this film. Just be prepared to roll your eyes at some of the decisions along the way. Worth a watch, but don’t expect it to leave a lasting impression.

Rating: ⅘.