PLOT
Lewis Shaler (Dougray Scott) is a busy doctor and a single father. On his way home with his toddler son he checks into the last train to London where he meets an cute stranger (Kara Tointon). They start feeling attracted to one another but the fling does not last long. As the train does not reach its destination, the emergency brakes seem not to work and with no travel attendant in sight a few passengers start sensing evil. A suicidal madman has taken control of the train planning to crash into sure death, killing everyone aboard with him. Will the passengers be able to escape their fate?
REVIEW
Revisiting the better horror flicks of decades gone, it's quite obvious many have been made by young directors without large portions of previous directing chops. Especially within the boundaries of the horror genre a trend switching focus from commercial mainstream fare to financially modest independent productions is in effect. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing. LAST PASSENGER, under review here, also is one of those spirited efforts brought to life without millions of Dollars but nevertheless presenting the guts enough to push the audience's needle deep into the red. Director slash co-writer OMID NOOSHIN, last ploughing the fields of the short film, uses his first feature film to prove that minimalist storytelling and a handful of well written and executed ideas suffice to manufacture a nerve wrecking piece of thriller cinema. Presumably British producer UK FILM COUNCIL (THE IRON LADY, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN) had the same impression and took care of the financial side.
LAST PASSENGER has the spectator witness the helpless interactions of a group of panic stricken travellers doing their utmost to regain control of the train gone high speed coffin and prevent it from killing everybody. Director OMID NOOSHIN tries his best, sticking to a realist approach. Sure, in the beginning the people aboard fall victim to ye olde behavioural patterns seen in many a genre trip before but over the course of the film the plot takes a healthy turn and the rare occurrence of an ensemble cast without a total jerk in their midst can be spotted. The passengers' behaviour seems fully understandable, their actions are depicted authentically to a degree which has the spectator go introspect and question his or her own possible ways when facing the desperate and nightmarish scenario of THE LAST PASSENGER. Even when taking into account the not all too new basic idea of the movie and the certain amount of time the film takes to equip the characters with the mental tools needed to solve the problems posed, NOOSHIN easily manages to conjure an atmosphere of claustrophobia which perfectly emphasizes the basic mood of the movie. It is not the lack of space in the train building tension, it's the desperation and helplessness among the group of protagonists who seem to be clueless how to stop the train. For those who – especially towards the film's adrenaline rush middle part - can't bear staring at the damned doing what they can to undock the wagons: Of course the film manoeuvres towards a happy end.
However, before the soothing credits roll, film fans will be part of a grade A suspense thrill ride. If you fancy entertaining thriller cinema this one's for you. Thrills lightly marred by budgetary restrictions but flawlessly put to film. Especially regarding the debut factor.
So hop in, next stop: LAST PASSENGER. Have a great ride!
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Sweat-inducing suspense fare, not for the faint of heart. A film for moviegoers who dig impeccably directed pieces employing a gradual increasing of thrills by the minute. Surprisingly good independent cinema!
Lewis Shaler (Dougray Scott) is a busy doctor and a single father. On his way home with his toddler son he checks into the last train to London where he meets an cute stranger (Kara Tointon). They start feeling attracted to one another but the fling does not last long. As the train does not reach its destination, the emergency brakes seem not to work and with no travel attendant in sight a few passengers start sensing evil. A suicidal madman has taken control of the train planning to crash into sure death, killing everyone aboard with him. Will the passengers be able to escape their fate?
REVIEW
Revisiting the better horror flicks of decades gone, it's quite obvious many have been made by young directors without large portions of previous directing chops. Especially within the boundaries of the horror genre a trend switching focus from commercial mainstream fare to financially modest independent productions is in effect. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing. LAST PASSENGER, under review here, also is one of those spirited efforts brought to life without millions of Dollars but nevertheless presenting the guts enough to push the audience's needle deep into the red. Director slash co-writer OMID NOOSHIN, last ploughing the fields of the short film, uses his first feature film to prove that minimalist storytelling and a handful of well written and executed ideas suffice to manufacture a nerve wrecking piece of thriller cinema. Presumably British producer UK FILM COUNCIL (THE IRON LADY, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN) had the same impression and took care of the financial side.
LAST PASSENGER has the spectator witness the helpless interactions of a group of panic stricken travellers doing their utmost to regain control of the train gone high speed coffin and prevent it from killing everybody. Director OMID NOOSHIN tries his best, sticking to a realist approach. Sure, in the beginning the people aboard fall victim to ye olde behavioural patterns seen in many a genre trip before but over the course of the film the plot takes a healthy turn and the rare occurrence of an ensemble cast without a total jerk in their midst can be spotted. The passengers' behaviour seems fully understandable, their actions are depicted authentically to a degree which has the spectator go introspect and question his or her own possible ways when facing the desperate and nightmarish scenario of THE LAST PASSENGER. Even when taking into account the not all too new basic idea of the movie and the certain amount of time the film takes to equip the characters with the mental tools needed to solve the problems posed, NOOSHIN easily manages to conjure an atmosphere of claustrophobia which perfectly emphasizes the basic mood of the movie. It is not the lack of space in the train building tension, it's the desperation and helplessness among the group of protagonists who seem to be clueless how to stop the train. For those who – especially towards the film's adrenaline rush middle part - can't bear staring at the damned doing what they can to undock the wagons: Of course the film manoeuvres towards a happy end.
However, before the soothing credits roll, film fans will be part of a grade A suspense thrill ride. If you fancy entertaining thriller cinema this one's for you. Thrills lightly marred by budgetary restrictions but flawlessly put to film. Especially regarding the debut factor.
So hop in, next stop: LAST PASSENGER. Have a great ride!
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Sweat-inducing suspense fare, not for the faint of heart. A film for moviegoers who dig impeccably directed pieces employing a gradual increasing of thrills by the minute. Surprisingly good independent cinema!