The 7.39

David Nicholls' reworking of the David Lean classic shifts the action from wartime Carnforth to contemporary London. Carl Matthews (David Morrissey) and Sally Thorn (Sheridan Smith) have a chance meeting, see each other on a regular basis on the 7.39 morning train from an unspecified suburb to the center of London, and fall in love. Unlike Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson in the earlier film, their love is not restricted to clandestine meetings in a station canteen, but develops into a full-blown affair. Nonetheless the outcome is much the same, as they realize that there is no future for either of them. The story is a familiar one, set against the backdrop of contemporary London - a teeming, high-tech city that alienates many of its citizens. John Alexander's direction vividly captures the heartlessness of contemporary urban life, with shots of a crowded train whose passengers seldom, if ever talk to one another, and interior shots of Carl's office, where the employees are separated from one another by glass screens. No one, it seems, has the time or the inclination to relate to one another. Thus it is perhaps inevitable that Carl and Sally should try to seek an alternative through love. Shot mainly in a series of shot/reverse shot sequences, THE 7.39 is an intense drama focusing on the characters' unspoken feelings: a close-up of Sally's tortured expression as she leaves Carl for the last time tells us far more about her pent-up emotions than dialog ever can. The casting is highly effective: Morrissey towers over Smith, suggesting that the couple are both physiognomically as well as emotionally ill-matched. Nonetheless they take full advantage of the affair while it lasts.

... how many people would change partners were opportunity presented as in this fairly well-made-good little mini-series... here these-two made to appear as really very nice-decent-individuals, just happening to meeting-having-sex-regularly because they can, and really are very sexually attracted to one another

... it's well made and appealing, just a bit hollow, along with evidencing why divorce rates are high world over... commitment crushed by passion till awakening or rationality (or nature) intervenes-returns

... and not that all these works need-require-nudity, yet making this here storyline more authentic, today's expressive-audiences increasingly sense its absence-avoidance.

If you've ever had to commute to London, you'll know that: conversations are sparse, fat people forget how fat they are and newspapers seem to make more noise at 7am! The 7.39 brings all this together but showing through commuter rage, friendships can be made. Many viewers have complained it's not realistic making such a connection this way, but let's not forget it started with a dispute! As for other complaints such as the train carriage was too empty, just remember you have to fit a whole camera crew onto the train and some trains do not actually allow bikes during peak times! Part one allows us to see how the friendship between Sally and Karl develops and just how quickly it leads to something more dangerous. The most artistic aspect of the first half of this drama is how the director shows the audience just how unaware the Sally and Karl are actually falling for each other.

In the beginning of part two, we see the aftermath of Sally and Karl's affair which out of the whole series, is the most realistic scenes we'll see.

Much recommend and but have a tissue to hand!

I approached this movie thinking it can't be much --- and I'm glad to state I was wrong.

The story is easy to understand --- life can become a rut and then you find yourself stuck in a daily routine. The rewards become transparent and frustration can set in quickly.

Here we have two people, Carl & Sally, who come to cross purposes on a commuter train one morning. With an apology later from Carl the ice is broken between our two characters. They both find out through just daily talking that there is a common thread between them. A friendship develops and then more comes into their lives.

What's so marvelous about 'The 7:39' is how the relationship progresses and the brilliant ability of the writer and director to keep this old and over told story consistently fresh and lively, start to finish.

It's 2 hours long but it's worth the watching !!!

The 7:39 was shown over two nights and is a modern reworking of Brief Encounter which is was itself was re-jigged in 1984 as 'Falling in Love' when it starred Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep.

David Morrissey and Sheridan Smith meet during an early commute to London where they argue over a seat. In subsequent encounters during the morning rush hour, they form a friendship and later have a steamy affair.

David Morrissey is the middle aged, middle management worker in commercial property with a horrible boss. he hates the daily grind of going and coming back from work.

He is married to Olivia Coleman, they have two teenage children, one about to go to university. He finds that for the first time in years he has a buzz and a spring in his step because of the affair.

Sheridan Smith is a personal trainer engaged to get married but unsure as to whether to commit and this affair with an older man seems to provide a pleasant diversion.

Of course we have the predictable consequences with Morrissey not performing in his job effectively and getting fired, Coleman finding out about the affair and finally being confronted by Smith's boyfriend.

An enjoyable drama, light on its feet, not heavy handed. The workplace scenes were so true to life with the actor playing Morrissey's boss nailing the part of the slimy, douche-bag.

Just a shame the serial was a bit by the numbers.