THE 15:17 TO PARIS (2018, USA, 94m, 15) **½
Drama, History
dist. Warner Bros.; pr co. Malpaso Productions / Village Roadshow Pictures / Warner Bros.
d. Clint Eastwood; w. Dorothy Blyskal (based on the book by Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone and Jeffrey E. Stern); pr. Clint Eastwood, Jessica Meier, Tim Moore, Kristina Rivera; ph. Tom Stern (Colour | 2.39:1); m. Christian Jacob; ed. Blu Murray; pd. Kevin Ishioka; ad. Julien Pougnier.
cast: Spencer Stone (Spencer), Anthony Sadler (Anthony), Alek Skarlatos (Alek), Mark Moogalian (Mark), Isabelle Risacher Moogalian (Isabelle), Judy Greer (Joyce), Jenna Fischer (Heidi), Ray Corasani (Ayoub), Christopher Norman (Chris), P.J. Byrne (Mr. Henry), William Jennings (Spencer (11-14)), Bryce Gheisar (Alek (11-14)), Paul-Mikél Williams (Anthony (11-14)), Sinqua Walls (Marine), Iman Nazemzadeh (Ben Zomerdyk), Tony Hale (Coach Murray), Thomas Lennon (Principal Michael Akers), Jaleel White (Garrett Walden), Lillian Solange Beaudoin (Carolyn), Irene White (Elementary Teacher).
Eastwood tells the true story of three American soldiers overcoming a terrorist on a Paris-bound train in this well-intentioned but flawed. By concentrating on the backstory of the three soldiers rather than the event itself, the drama is flattened, as there is really not too much interesting in terms of story to tell. Couple this with the use of the real-life heroes playing themselves, and the film sometimes veers toward the amateurish in its performance. The heroic act itself is enacted well, but the swift resolution means the film lacks the conviction its characters deserve.
