Raimund Gregorius, a Swiss Professor, abandons his lectures and buttoned-down life to embark on a thrilling adventure that will take him on a journey to the very heart of himself.
Like a night train, Bille August’s film finally gets there, but is almost unendurably slow.
Based on the novel by Pascal Mercier, the back-and-forth narrative saps the story of tension, while Irons bumbles around like a dippy Dumbledore.
While deeply unfashionable, Night Train to Lisbon’s old-school, historically aware melodrama seduces during some compelling stretches, and reasserts August as a filmmaker of real ability.
In its lesser moments, the film feels like a European art-house adaptation of a Mills and Boon novel or a Saga holiday commercial, but it is beautifully shot and packed with cameos from big-name actors.
On TV, this might while away a rainy Sunday afternoon.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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