Night Train

In Night Train, there are indeed criminals, some so tough that they could immediately take charge of a worse version of a concentration camp, yet the film is not in the least influenced by Tarantino's perception of violence and crime as a kind of entertainment. It is primarily a love story of two aging outsiders who no longer believe they can experience something beautiful and start over. The meeting of the released unlucky fraudster played by John Hurt and the inconspicuous home affairs under the influence of a dominant mother played by Brenda Blethyn is visually pleasing thanks to their realistic acting. On the other hand, the screenplay is not inventive and strong enough to lift this work above mediocrity. The film moves in waters that are quite thoroughly mapped. Overall impression: 55%. (04/10/2009)