The Girl on the Train

I have been looking forward to this movie for some time, since I found out that the plot of the book by Paula Hawkins reminded my Gypsy friend of my book Hideaway (available on Amazon).  So I organized a big outing to see the movie this weekend.

Emily Blunt plays Rachel, who is drinking and depressed after divorcing Tom.  She has become unemployed so she fakes going to work and rides the train to and from some central location.  As she rides by her and Tom's old home, she recognizes not only Tom and his new wife Anna but also two neighbors, Megan and her husband/boyfriend.

As she fantasizes about Megan's life, she begins to find out more about her.  But the plan backfires when Megan turns up missing and Rachel is found to be a little too close and familiar with Megan.

It's a complicated plot and so I'll say that the movie follows the book pretty well.  Directed by Tate Taylor (The Help, Winter's Bone) there's a tendency to go for the dramatic shot whenever possible.
Not sure if that helps or hurts here.

The cinematography is set to evoke a fall/winter bleakness to match the characters.  Originally set in London, it's moved her to New York for no other reason than to appeal to American audiences.

A good mystery, somewhat dark.  Easy to compare to Gone Girl which had a similar missing girl plot (but the mystery was solved that much sooner in that movie).

* * * * of 5