Runaway Train was made by Cannon Pictures run by Golan and Globus - home to many exploitation-type films. This is not one of those. Sure, it has its moments with some nasty violence and blood, a hyperbolic jail setting, and loads of action but also has some performances worthy of Oscar consideration(both Voight and Roberts were nominated), some clever and insightful dialog, and some images that go beyond mere storytelling. At its core it is about the human struggle. Jon Voight plays Manny, a lifetime criminal who has just been released from his welded shut cell to the general population of the prison. Early on we know that Voight and the warden - played with some sadistic glee by John P. Ryan - are not just at odds with each other but kindred souls who do not want to have their spirits crushed by the other. Voight manages to escape with the aid of Eric Roberts and they get aboard a locomotive. Whilst moving, the engineer suffers a heart attack and falls from the moving locomotive. The rest of the entire film is set on that moving death sentence as we see Roberts, Voight, and later Rebecca De Mornay(who was working on the locomotive but was asleep) contemplate their collective fate and try to find ways to circumnavigate it. Although filled with taut tension and riveting action sequences, Runaway Train is really about Manny's struggle to be free - to be his own person. He is not a very likable character but does want something innate for himself that he views as integral to all life. Voight plays this character with depth and conviction and looks almost unrecognizable at times. It certainly is one of his better performances. Roberts is also good with less depth as a man who idolizes someone who really only cares for himself and his wants. De Mornay is there and perhaps is the only decent character in the whole film in terms of moral compass. Ryan is one nasty, beastly officer of the law to be sure. but gives one fun performance. I really enjoyed this film. It tells a compelling story but also looks at the futile nature of life sometimes. Director Andrey Konchalovskiy is more than competent is selling the story visually and even adds some wonderful touches like the locomotive, after having rear-ended another, looking like some Lovecraftian beast careening down the tracks of the desolate Alaskan wilderness into some oblivion. Which bring me to the ending. I loved it as it entertains that oblivious ending tying the lives of two contrasting yet comparable characters to the same bitter fate. Very little color is used throughout the film. Voight at the end in a beautifully shot sequence enhances that futile nature aforementioned. This is a good film.
Review of Runaway Train
