As time passes, Emily Mortimer is slowly becoming the 'it' girl in independent cinema. From her roles in Dear Frankie and Match Point to Lars and the Real Girl and Redbelt, the quickly rising star has turned in some brilliant performances in some of the best indie films. Thankfully, she is at it again, this time opposite Woody Harrelson and Ben Kingsley in Brad Anderson's soon-to-be-classic, Transsiberian.
In the film, Mortimer plays Jessie, a spontaneous traveler who is photographing the world with her husband Roy, played by Woody Harrelson. After serving for their church in China, Jessie and Roy decide to take the Trans-Siberian Railway to Moscow. Along the way, the American couple meets Grinko and Abby, another couple who is out to see the world. However, what started off as a friendly acquaintance quickly turns into a tense tale of international intrigue, as the trip becomes plagued with deception, drugs and murder.
In addition to Mortimer, who gives a startling performance as the seemingly innocent and naïve Jessie, I must mention the fascinating work of Woody Harrelson. Having recently succumb to such trash as Surfer Dude and Semi-Pro, it has been a long time since Harrelson has stretched his acting legs past stage one. However, with this film, Harrelson showcases his talent perfectly as he brings the confident and complex Roy to the screen. Together, the two lead actors work brilliantly as they represent a couple on the rocks, longing for that one missing element that will bring them back together again.
Also surprising audience members with a stellar performance were Kate Mara and Eduardo Noriega, who played Abby and Grinko respectively. In charge of serving as Ray and Jesse's traveling counterparts, both supporting stars did a great job at providing support to both the story and the leads. Never did they overplay their characters; instead, each chose to stay within themselves and the film, helping to create a realistic situation of fraud and friendship.
However, none of these stars would have been able to shine on the screen if it wasn't for director Brad Anderson. Most known for his intense and visually shocking film, The Machinist, Anderson is looking to continue his streak of spell-binding films with Transsiberian. Without a doubt, he does just that. Taking audience members on a gripping and all-too-realistic adventure across Russia, Anderson captures the tone, mood and intensity of the story, placing it in front of a captivating backdrop of snow and ancient history, and putting the audience amongst the actors on screen. The story literally comes alive within the wall so of the theater, gripping at your heart and not letting go until well after the credits have rolled.
But amongst all the great characteristics lies a story. This story, when brought to the big-screen, is so heartbreaking, troublesome and realistic, that you cannot help but sit in awe. Though extremely depressing and worrisome, the film successfully crosses genre lines, presenting a fully rounded film that relies as much of its story as it does acting and direction. As a result, the final product is a truly magnificent piece of art that should be included on many top 10 lists come year's end.
