Rails & Ties
When life comes apart, love puts it back together.
Tom and Megan Stark always thought there would be time—time to have children, time to take that trip to San Francisco, time to fix the problems in their marriage. But Megan’s illness and Tom’s inability to face the possibility of losing her are stealing all the time they have left. All Tom can do is bury himself in his job as a train conductor, where at least he feels in control and everything runs on a predetermined track. Until now.
Tom’s train has hit a car on the tracks in a tragic turn of events that, while not his fault, may still cost him his job. Worse, a young woman is dead and her son, Davey, has been left to cope with the loss of his mother, the guilt that he could not save her not only from the train but from herself…and the anger at the man he holds responsible: Tom Stark. The accident puts the Starks and Davey on their own collision course. But instead of leading to tragedy, this crossing could mean new hope for a woman who has only one chance left to fulfill her dreams, for a man who must learn to open his heart before it’s too late, and for a young boy who has never known the true meaning of family.
Member Reviews
Rails and Ties - sticksr
We both really enjoyed this movie. The characters played their roles superbly. The story-line was excellent, well thought-out, and executed beautifully. This movie is the so-called "hidden gem". I rate this movie five stars and highly recommend it.Fine Performances - Stitch
Yes, the screenplay relies a bit much on synchronicity with key structural elements that ask us to accept a degree of unlikelihood apart from our humdrum perspectives. But I have problems with folk who cavil at coincidence; it’s what drives almost every fine work of fiction. Or real life for that matter; on our death bed we’ll not reminisce on our nine to fives in the office. Here the story line examines the core theme of impending loss and redemption through connection with others similarly afflicted. So accept the premise of the events and immerse yourself in a sensitive and moving portrayal.
It would be difficult to select the Oscar winner -- but I’d probably give it to Kevin Bacon. Supported by a no-nonsense screenplay and subtle direction, he never overdoes it. Bacon has always excelled in blue collar roles and here he rigorously confines the capabilities of the persona he portrays. So we start out chastising his lack of sensitivity and end up applauding what is absolutely believable. His progression from repressed caring to sensitive expression is never rushed. Little touches of awkwardness such as his physical demeanor in placing the flower during the very brief funeral scene subtly enhance this authenticity.
Equally impressive is Miles Heizer as Davey. He has a number of difficult scenes, one particularly dramatic, and I do not recall a more believable young performer. Abetting the overall sense of loss is Marcia Gay Harden who underplays realistically; here is a character who moves effortlessly and credibly between compassion for others and rage at the lousy hand she’s been dealt. I have personal experience with such a tragedy…she and the director handle it head-on. A good woman who deserves better but refuses to pander to false sentiment.
This is a movie about relationships… how we can screw them up yet eventually come to recognize them as our only hope for an enriched existence. Highly recommended. Bring hankies.Life takes unexpected turns - Filmgal
“Rails & Ties” is an intimate look at a family from first feature for director Alison Eastwood, offspring of Clint.
The film follows three people whose lives are disrupted after a tragic train accident. When train conductor Tom (Kevin Bacon) hits and kills a woman who has parked her car with herself and her 11 year old son David (Miles Heizer) inside it, he is forced into taking a break from the job that he loves to recouperate and spend time with his ailing wife Megan (Marcia Gay Harden). When David shows up at the couple’s door, Megan has the chance to experience motherhood- something she has always craved. This unconventional family bonds together through tragedy and gives Megan- who lives by Dylan Thomas’ immortal words to “rage against the dying light” finds solace and happiness in her final hours with her new family.
Eastwood does an impressive job with the difficult subject matter and infuses it with subtlety and even humour. A compassionate film, there are similarities in Alison’s style to that of her father Clint’s in both the subject of the American family and the simple and unobtrusive shots.
Kevin Bacon gives a great performance of a difficult man, reminiscient of his work in “Murder in the First” in that he goes beyond expectations in his quiet rage and sorrow. Marcia Gay Harden is wonderful. Her performance resonates throguh the film and projects the love and compassion her character feels for her two troubled men outwards. The standout in the film is young David, played by Miles Heizer, who had difficult dramatic scenes which he tackled with the ease of a seasoned pro.
It is a moving film, that speaks to living with illness and experiencing death and how it resonates through families- whether they are blood relatives, or makeshift families of friends and non-relations. The film demonstrates the grieving process, and how it is in our best itnerest to stay together and “rage against the dying light."
Member Reviews
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Rails and Ties - sticksr
We both really enjoyed this movie. The characters played their roles superbly. The story-line was excellent, well thought-out, and executed beautifully. This movie is the so-called "hidden gem". I rate this movie five stars and highly recommend it.Fine Performances - Stitch
Yes, the screenplay relies a bit much on synchronicity with key structural elements that ask us to accept a degree of unlikelihood apart from our humdrum perspectives. But I have problems with folk who cavil at coincidence; it’s what drives almost every fine ...Life takes unexpected turns - Filmgal
“Rails & Ties” is an intimate look at a family from first feature for director Alison Eastwood, offspring of Clint.
The film follows three people whose lives are disrupted after a tragic train accident. When train conductor Tom (Kevin Bacon) hits ...