Review: The Commuter (2018)

For this week’s review, I put in The Commuter (2018) into the Blu-Ray player. This film stars Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Sam Neill and Jonathan Banks, and is primarily a vehicle for Liam Neeson to fulfill his time tested and proven formula of him portray someone who has a limited amount of time to save the day. 

Liam (Micheal MacCauley) is the centrepiece in this story, a recently fired insurance salesman (who happened to be a cop, before pressures of the job forced him into insurance) and is returning home on his regularly scheduled train ride. He is approached by Vera Farmiga (Joanna) who happens to know he is down and out and offers him a large chunk of change (100K, 25 now and 75 later) to perform a simple act of identifying someone before the end of the line. Due to his personal issues, he falls for this, takes the down payment and starts looking for the individual who does not belong. After a period of time, he realizes that this is wrong, and does not want to play anymore. At this point, he gets a phone call from Vera (Joanna) who threatens his wife and family if he does not live up to his end of the bargain. Not to give out any spoilers, Liam (Michael) figures who the person is, thwarts the bad guys and saves the day. Pretty much a formula for a Liam Neeson movie.

Now lets talk about what is good and bad about the film. First, I really like Liam Neeson, I have liked his movies since I first saw him in “Excalibur” (1981 - he was Gawain) and “The Bounty” (1984 – played Churchill). I found him an intense actor who played these small roles well and added to the story. However, it was not until “The Dead Pool” (1988) and “Darkman” (1990) that I felt that Neeson was someone worth watching. After those films, he made a slew of other action films and dramas, but “Schindlers List” (1993) really stood out for him and his career, and in my opinion, at that time he graduated to an A list actor. He starred in other films of note, (Star Wars, Clash of the Titans, The A-Team, Kingdom of Heaven, Batman Begins, Gangs of New York, K-19) and an assortment of other films as either the lead or in supporting role. In almost all instances, very well. But it was not until Taken (2008) where the Neeson formula if you will, really developed. He would portray an older (Agent, cop, etc) who has to save his loved ones in a certain amount of time, and he would do this no matter what the cost. For Neeson, he did not really have to stretch his acting capabilities, as his role in “The Commuter” is exactly that, he just has to re-hash old roles and mannerisms. It pretty much followed the plan and was predictable. You (the audience) would know that he will find the guy/girl who he was looking for, and along the way uncover some of the other passenger’s secrets. There was nothing new here, is it Neeson’s fault or is this just the type of role he is being type cast in? Or, is it really the fault of the film itself? Personally, I feel that it is probably a combination of both. 

Now having said all that, I still enjoyed his portrayal of Micheal MacCauley, as he presented exactly what I was expecting to see. Nothing new, a standard role for Liam, but still enjoyable.

Vera Farmiga (Joanna) could have used some more screen time, as the femme fatale in this film her role could have been more explained and expanded. I have watched her progress for the last few years, and she shows a great deal of drama when acting and can play the femme fatale role extremely well. She is at her best there as well as portraying the hunted who is just trying to survive another day. 

I always like Johnathan Banks (Walt), I think the first time I saw him in films/TV was either Wiseguys or 48hours. In both cases, I like him in his role, and this was no different. While his role was primarily supporting, playing another daily traveller, and companion of chance to Neeson, he plays it well, and provides the required support to the main character. 

The other principal players, Sam Neill (Hawthorne), Patrick Wilson (Murphy) and Elizabeth McGovern (Karen MacCauley) round out the cast. Elizabeth McGovern (Karen MacCauley) has a minor role of the wife, introduced at the start, her role has little substance. All she appears to do is spend money, oblivious to the financial situation the family is in. However, that could be Neeson’s fault as well as he hides many things from his wife, (as we find out as the film progresses). She also plays the motive for Nesson to take on the task and earn the 100K from Vera (Joanna). The only problem with McGovern in this role, is that now, every time I see her, I think of Downton Abbey, and wonder why she is not there making sure the estate is running well J

Sam Neill (Capt Hawthorne) and Patrick Wilson (Murphy) round out the cast. They are both former comrades of Neeson (MacCauley) when he was on the NYPD, and are introduced early in the film. Not wanting to give out any spoilers in case you have not watched this film yet, their roles become important in the final act as they provide the impetus and climax of the film. Both performances were solid, not a surprise for Sam Neill, as with all his films, he delivers what is expected, and delivers it well. For Patrick Wilson, he is usually kind of a hit/miss type of actor. I have not really figured out if it is the roles he takes or his capabilities. However, in this film, his character was well played, and was central to the plot of the film.

There were a number of other minor characters, but my favourite of them was Shazad Latiff (Vince - the smarmy stock broker who every time he opened his mouth, you had the urge to reach into the screen and give him a smack). While a minor role, it really let him flex his skills and demonstrate his acting spectrum compared to other roles he has portrayed. Currently, he is on Star Trek: Discovery as Spock, the stoic Vulcan. Pretty much the other side of the coin when compared to his role in “The Commuter”.    

What I did not like about it; Liam Neeson is getting a little older and should start taking some roles that are more fitting to his age, at 60 plus years, he is not the action star anymore, and maybe he should start looking for roles more in line with his physical capability and age….in a few more years, all the action scenes will be beyond him, and his stand-ins will have more screen time than he does.  I truly hope that he does not go the route of Stallone, Schwarzenegger and Seagal – They still try and take on serious action films…please Liam, play your age. Be more Clint Eastwood and Robert De Niro, both fantastic actors who have learned to embrace their age and take on roles that bring out the best in both of them, while still having the right amount of action to keep you watching!

Bottom line, did we enjoy “The Commuter”, yes, but not immensely. This movie was a Neeson formula film, predictable with enough action to keep you watching. Just not one of his better ones, but if you liked Taken etc, this one is the same formula…just on a train. 

Our Rating

6.0/10

Till next time!