Film Review - The Commuter (201ter)

THE COMMUTER is an engrossing mystery plot full of intense action sequences, which sees Neeson (Taken) and director Jaume Collet-Serra (The Shallows) team up once again, having previously worked together on RUN ALL NIGHT and NON-STOP. Boasting a stellar supporting cast of Sam Neill (JURASSIC PARK series), Johnathan Banks (TV’s BREAKING BAD), BAFTA 2018 Rising Star nominee Florence Pugh (LADY MACBETH) and Patrick Wilson (TV’s FARGO), THE COMMUTER sees Neeson at his absolute best; a must-own for any action fan.

Synopsis
Insurance salesman Michael (Neeson) is on his daily commute home when he is contacted by a mysterious stranger (Vera Farmiga, The Conjuring, The Departed), and forced to uncover the identity of a hidden passenger on his train before the last stop. As he works against the clock to solve the puzzle, he realises a deadly plan is unfolding and is unwittingly caught up in a criminal conspiracy. One that carries life and death stakes, for himself and his fellow passengers.

Review – Contains Spoilers
Liam Neeson certain knows how to make a good movie. With many associating Neeson with Taken, there is automatically high expectations when hearing Neeson is staring a new film.

The Commuter does not disappoint!

The film starts where you get an insight into Michael’s mundane daily life, where he commutes every day into the city to work as an Insurance salesman, where he gets to know the regulars on the commuter train, some he knows well, others he knows to just nod to.

Then he’s fired! Like many working families, he is living hand to mouth, from pay cheque to pay cheque with bills, college and mortgage to pay for.

After work he meets up with his old colleague who we learn is a policeman, we learn that Michael is an ex-cop, and the chief of police seems a bit dodgy!

Then, to make a bad day worse he gets his phone stolen, and a stranger approaches him once on the train with a proportion. It’s not a remake of strangers on a train which is where I thought the film was going to start with! But, Michael is given a proposition, he is told there is $25,000 hidden in the toilets, it’s his and $75,000 more if he just does one small act for this woman. It won’t affect him but will affect the other person greatly!

Do you take the money?
Do you accept the challenge?

But what if you took the money, after all, you see the woman leave the train. The money is there, who would know.

What if you took that $25,000. That’s your agreement to take up the challenge. Who would know? You have the money, you can still say no, what can they do!

But what if they had your family! You took the money, you’ve agreed to complete the task and to ensure you follow through and know this woman means business, a stranger gets on at the next stop and deliveries your wife’s wedding ring!

We are now in a serious situation. You have to complete the mission. With limited knowledge, you are to find a person on the train and tag them.

This is an intense film.

I had no idea who was good, bad, Prin!

It keeps you guessing. You think you know who’s behind it, then you change your mind, then you change it back again. Then as the film progresses you realise who the bad guys are and the mastermind behind the plan, or do you.

I had no idea what to work out, so just watched, randomly shouting at the TV who not to trust and then getting that wrong.

Like I said, knowing what I know now. I wouldn’t take the money in the toilet! I’d have got off the train!

Great action-packed movie, with twists and clues to keep you guessing.

Liam Neeson did not disappoint.