The Trans-Siberian rail line through Asia is still one of the most fascinating in the world. From Beijing to Moscow, travelers face an odd dichotomy between the inherently claustrophobic nature of traveling by train, with its small beds and cabins, and the wide-open expanse of a vast barely-populated, snow-covered landscape, where wandering off the beaten path is seriously not advised. And if you're a pair of travel-weary Americans, it becomes an even more startling experience, especially if you don't speak the language and hear nothing but horror stories about the Russian police and drug dealers that may be in the cabin next door. This is the situation that Roy (Woody Harrelson) and Jessie (Emily Mortimer) stumble into after they finish a church trip to Beijing and find themselves with few days left over to travel. Roy screams typical American (although not quite "ugly") with his blond hair and rather-dorky glasses, but his wife Jessie has a bit more of an edge to her with hints of a dark, addictive past. When the pair of tourists encounters two English-speaking roommates on their train - Carlos (Eduardo Noriega) and Abby (Kate Mara) - Roy is quick to drink and socialize, but the much more street-savvy Jessie senses danger. Why would a young girl like Abby have so many stamps in her passport? What’s up with Carlos’ collection of nesting dolls? And why does the Spaniard constantly try to get Jessie to drink even when she refuses? Our poor heroine has no idea what's in store for her.

And neither do you. And only the most heartless critics would give away any more than I have here. Do your best to avoid the reviewers prone to spoiling movies this complex. The remarkably good Transsiberian is one of the most unpredictable screenplays of the year from the continuously fascinating writer/director, Brad Anderson (Session 9, The Machinist). Anderson leaves his "master of horror" title behind (he directed an episode of the Showtime anthology series) to tell a much more Hitchcockian tale than he has before. Alfred would be proud of this variation on Strangers on a Train, a twisting and turning film that even the most detailed movie watcher won't be able to see coming. Like a lot of thrillers, Transsiberian does rely a bit on actions by Roy and Jessie that you/she/I probably wouldn't do in the real world, but what truly elevates Anderson's film above many of its recent peers is the central performance by Emily Mortimer, an actress who sells each one of her arguably unbelievable decisions. Mortimer, who has become one of the most consistent actresses of her generation, turns a woman who would have been a two-dimensional plot device in many lesser performers’ hands into a three-dimensional, believable character. It's one of my favorite performances of the year and one that should be mentioned in the same breath as awards at the end, but very likely won’t be.

Admittedly, by the time that Ben Kingsley and Thomas Kretschmann show up in the final act as a pair of Russian narcotics officers, Transsiberian has lost a little of its claustrophobic believability. But it's never something that I really noticed or felt while I was watching this excellent film. Looking back on it, maybe Anderson’s screenplay doesn't come together completely, but isn't a thriller about the experience of actually being thrilled while you're watching it and not the dissection of the experience later? With its consistently clever and always unpredictable screenplay, fascinating setting, and stellar lead performance, Transsiberian is riveting from beginning to end. Like the rail line that gives it a title, Transsiberian is a unique and thrilling ride.

Rating: THREE AND A HALF BONES

Reviewed by Brian Tallerico (MovieRetriever.com Film Critic)

Release Date: August 15, 2008

Rating: R

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, Eduardo Noriega, Kate Mara, Thomas Kretschmann, and Ben Kingsley

Director: Brad Anderson

Writers: Brad Anderson & Will Conroy