Off the Rails

Kate, Liz and Cassie meet for the first time in years, at the funeral of their close friend from their college days Anna, who leaves then train tickets, and one final mission, to see the lights in Palma, together with her daughter Maddie.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, way better than the score and number if reviews would suggest, it's sweet, it's amusing, it's uplifting, the acting is wonderful, they're all so natural.

Favourite scene had to be the pregnant lady, very funny and quite moving. I also enjoyed that moment in The French Fashion shop.

This features some exquisite location work, some beautiful places, and some well known sites too.

Blondie's music is terrific throughout, a real mix, some of the early stuff, and definitely some later recordings, you can hear how Harry's voice has changed.

I thought the cast were wonderful, I can't pick out a single performance, but there is no denying the comedy brilliance of Sally Phillips.

A great supporting cast, including Ben Miller and Judy Dench.

8/10.

During the past 12 months, I have attended screenings of more serious, topical movies which have moved me to sadness, despair and frustration with our planet's current state.

This is a refreshing, purely joyful departure.

If you are a woman of that 'challenging' age this one will make you smile.

I expected nothing as I took my seat, and was transported to a familiar time when Debbie Harry and her band Blondie ruled the radio waves.

I cried, laughed, sang along and allowed myself to reminisce about a happier part of life, when my friends where not obsessed with followers on whichever social media app.

The critics won't rate this one highly, but I say, sit back relax and enjoy!!!

Don't analyse the plot, (there is no sub-plot to follow), just let this delightful movie simplify the world.

I'm so very glad that I am not a professional critic. I was able to let 'Off the Rails' take me away to blissful memories.

P. S. : Watch for the glorious cameo from yummy Martin Shaw! 🤗

The script is dull, cliched and not very believable. I also don't think there's a lot of chemistry between the 'friends' (or emotion, it feel contrived). The lack of character development might be explained by a lack of understanding where each person has come from, seeing as they have been separated for so long and have each obviously lead very different lives with different challenges (let alone what they were like when they were young).

If only the script was better, maybe this movie may have had a chance...

Okay, so it is a sweet film with a mixed up plot and loud BLONDIE music. Good to see Kelly Preston before she left this world.

Why BLONDIE music? And why so loud?

This clever inversion of the road movie genre sees a group of women trying to recreate their teenage Interrail journey from London to Mallorca and wittily confronting the reality of life in their 50s along the route.

Making the most of its superb cast and great Blondie soundtrack, the film powers through Europe and a succession of misadventures that threaten to derail the journey. Strong female characters are front and centre throughout the film and when Dan (Ben Miller) tries to ride to their rescue he finds the ladies have other ideas.

Trainspotters may quibble about the representation of the European rail network, but film buffs should look out for the cinematic references: the final scene, for example, is a carefully-crafted homage to Thelma & Louise.

The film is released at a difficult time: Brexit and Covid took a toll on the very idea of European travel and, of course, Kelly Preston sadly died last year. However, the essence of the film is a promise of new beginnings and it ends with a sorely-needed message of hope.