The Railway Man (2013)

With an all-star cast and gripping plot based on a true story, The Railway Man is an emotional rollercoaster from start to end. It follows ex-P.O.W Eric Lomax (Colin Firth) who struggles to cope with the memories and flashbacks of his time in captivity, making things difficult for his wife, Patti (Nicole Kidman). She looks to Eric's friend Finlay (Stellan Skarsgard) who suffered with him, for answers. We view Eric's time building the Burma - Siam railway through flashbacks with Jeremy Irvine as young Eric who, with the help of Finlay and other prisoners, build a radio to hear from the outside world. They are eventually caught and Eric is ruthlessly tortured which traumatises him for the rest of his life. I read Eric Lomax's book before I saw the film and almost wish I hadn't. The film itself is very impressive. It's colourful, the acting is very impressive and the torture scenes almost too believable, although most of the violence was implied. I just had a few problems with the adaptation from book to film: First of all, Skarsgard's character is completely fabricated. Finlay was brought in as a way for Patti to find out information about Eric's past. I understand that this was done to benefit the structure of the film but it did irritate me having read the book. Also, without spoiling the end, I will just say that from the book I assume that Eric Lomax was a kind, vulnerable and ultimately harmless man and to my disgust was portrayed as one set on violent revenge. This upset me beyond words and I feel so betrayed on Lomax's part. I would recommend this film on the grounds that it is compelling and interesting; but will always hold a grudge because of the inaccuracies that irritate me so much.