“Transsiberian” Orchestra of Horrors: Review for “Transsiberian”

Claistrophobia can be a key part of a suspense film. Whether you’re trapped in an old house or in a small town, that feeling can always creep up on you. Transsiberian is about a young couple (Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer) who are traveling back to the United States from China and take the Trans-Siberian line through Russia. During their journey, they meet this mysterious younger couple. The younger man is very friendly, but has a past. He was a drug trafficker. His little girlfriend (Kate Mara) has been making sure that he doesn’t go back to that path, he however has some nesting dolls that are actually made out of drugs. I can’t say anymore about the plot without saying any spoilers, but I can say that this is one of the best suspense films of the last decade. Very much in the style of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, this claustophobic drama takes its time never jumping the gun at any moment. This movie reminded me a lot of Murder on the Orient Express, with it’s great storytelling and fantastic cast. Sir Ben Kingsley co-stars as a police officer and he, the great actor that he is, is totally and utterly believable. Though the film is not entirely fast paced, you WILL be sitting on the edge of your seat as the mystery unravels and you get closer to the end. The performances are fantastic and the cinematography great. A real thriller that doesn’t skimp on storytelling or acting or directing. This is without a doubt, one if the best suspense dramas I have ever seen.

Grade: A