Parents' Guide to

The Railway Man

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Former POW can't shake wartime cruelty in sluggish drama.

Movie R 2014 116 minutes
The Railway Man Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

Eric Lomax (Colin Firth) is haunted by his experiences decades ago as a prisoner of war during World War II. As a British soldier, he was captured and tortured by the Japanese while being forced to build the infamous Burma Railway. His new wife, Patti (Nicole Kidman), realizes that he's emotionally scarred, but Eric won't talk about what happened during the war. He can't. It's still too present for him. When a wartime pal reveals that one of their captors is alive and living in Thailand, making a living by leading tour groups through the prison camp, Eric sets off to confront his past. When the the men finally come face to face, former prisoner and former jailer, Eric must decide what kind of person he has become in the years since the war ended.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2):

THE RAILWAY MAN is a lesser movie than it should be, packaged as it is with gorgeous cinematography, atmospheric music, and a star-studded cast. In another time and place, it could have been Oscar bait. But this version is pulled in two different directions. It starts as what appears to be a romance, an exploration of the relationship between two equals, one more self-actualized than the other. But then it quickly becomes apparent that it's also a war movie. And in many ways, as the latter, it's sensitive, empathetic, and moving. If only it had just made up its mind.

You get the feeling that Kidman being cast as Eric's wife demanded a beefing up of their relationship storyline. Which would be fine, if the movie had actually given her more to do than just appear concerned and ready to come to the rescue of a damaged man. But that's not the case. And in its war movie incarnation, the film also falls short, pushing the audience to feel deeply when it doesn't deserve the commitment. It relies too heavily on music, pseudo-mysterious close-ups, and oblique references to secrets untold. Perhaps if the filmmakers had made a firm decision either way, the movie would have been better. But they didn't.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about The Railway Man's violence. How do the scenes of torture seen here compare to what you might seen in a horror movie? Which has more impact? Why? Does the movie need to be as graphic as it is to make its point?

  • How does Eric react when he finally meets the man who tortured him during the war? Would you have made the same choice? What message does the movie ultimately send?

  • Why won't Eric tell his wife about his wartime experiences? How does that affect their relationship? Does it seem realistic?

Movie Details

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