I came across this free movie on YouTube when I was looking for films with Woody Harrelson.
I used to think Woody just played himself. A cool, funny, stoner type. Then I saw him in Out of the Furnace. He played a scary badass. A guy you would hate, and be terrified of. He’d beat the hell out of you. A guy who would never work at Cheers. So which Woody is the real one? Oh I get it. Woody Harrelson is right up there with Denzel and Meryl Streep.
I eagerly clicked on it..
Even the opening credits were intriguing. The setting, Vladivostok Russia on the Chinese border. And who is the first person I see? Ben Kingsley.
He’s Grinko, a Russian drug cop. Alright. This is gonna be intense. And the first scene; eerie and amazing. Yeah; I’m in.
Then we go to Beijing, China and see a church group of Americans. And there’s Woody who plays Roy. I didn’t recognize him at first, he looks so square and nerdy. And Roy’s wife Jessie, played by Emily Mortimer. I’ve never seen her before. She’s got more depth than Roy. She’s been around. I like her.
As they head to the train station to go to Moscow Roy says “Are you sure you don’t want to fly?” “No.”
Now Jessie is looking at a giant mural of a map showing the long route to Moscow. With ominous background music.
I’m really in now. As the ride begins, so do the bad omens. They weren’t worried, but I was.
At the first stop a young couple shares their cabin. They dont look right. Especially him. He looks like a daring risk taker, and a man without morals. He’s the exact opposite of the church going Roy.
He hides behind his good looks and charm. It works on Roy, but not on Jessie.
As the train heads deeper and deeper into the unknown, I’m getting more and more uneasy. You cant put your finger on it. But this is not gonna end well. Then the climax hits and…wow. I didn’t expect that.
And Jessie? She’s got a big secret. It’s her movie now. Soon I realize the climax has just started. Now the tension is really ratcheting up.
And as I’m at the edge of my seat, here’s Grinko again. He’s got his charm, but right under that charm is the devil waiting to pounce.
And Roy the nerd still can’t see it.
I’m getting sick watching Jessie in such panic. The train is rushing towards Roy and Jessie’s annihilation.
The ominous music is getting more intense. So is Grinko. Jessie is frantic; terrified. I gotta hit pause. An hour later my stress hormones have stabilized, so I turn it back on.
And I’m right back where I was. Climax after climax. I’m gonna blow a fuse. Finally Roy sees the light and we see him become a hero.
It’s his movie now. But he’s a doomed hero. And he’s beautiful too.
This movie is a 90 minute roller coaster ride.
Gene Bray is a Red Hook resident who likes to watch movies and listen to records on Van Brunt Street.
