“The Railway Man” works because of the amazing story and the fabulous performances who bring it to life.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 24, 2022

Fortunately, the unwieldy structure doesn’t obscure the quality performances...

| Aug 24, 2022

[An] absorbing, slightly exaggerated account of a true story...

| Aug 22, 2022

The Railway Man packs an emotional punch to move even the coldest heart; so powerful you feel the pain, you feel burdens lift as demons are faced, you feel the forgiveness fill the screen and the room, and just watching you are lifted and uplifted.

| Dec 14, 2019

Director Teplitzky lacks narrative power behind what should be a traumatic experience. When you see more poignancy in the end credits rather than the actual film, it is a sign to show where the real strength of the story lies.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Nov 21, 2019

The Railway Man remains a moving film, with strong performances, but its intentions are perhaps better than its delivery.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 8, 2019

It's a very British film which, behind its initially stiff upper lip, connects with deep emotions that make it a quietly moving story of forgiveness and redemption.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 7, 2019

Teplikzky has produced a rushed, soulless and utterly unconvincing BBC drama -- and a poor one at that.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 7, 2019

The first two thirds of the film seem to be building towards a satisfying resolution, but it gets there only after taking an improbable twist, and that left a sour taste in my mouth.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 11, 2018

The film's attempt at moral equivalence when Lomax seems destined to act a fitting revenge on his old captor feels not only a touch vindictive, but also incredibly didactic.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Nov 18, 2018

Eric Lomax chronicled his remarkable personal odyssey in a moving and confronting memoir, and this gripping film adaptation does not hold back on detailing the horrifying ordeal he endured.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 16, 2018

The Railway Man gives us facts, but struggles to keep the audience's attention with its slow-going and emotionally distant script.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 14, 2018

I don't know if there's a right way to show torture, but there are certainly lots of wrong ways, one being The Railway Man, possibly the dullest film about torture I've ever seen.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 22, 2018

Scrupulously tasteful films stuffed with Oscar-winning talent have a tendency to feel like awards bait, but Railway Man manages to escape such charges. A modest, old-fashioned film it may be, but with cumulative power that's surprisingly affecting.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 2, 2018

This is an effective story of war, peace, forgiveness and revenge.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 27, 2017

It's well acted, with a few moments of remarkable intensity, but it's not a journey you'd rush to take.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 6, 2017

The Railway Man is probably the best film you haven't seen this year.

| Aug 11, 2017

The Railway Man holds great possibility but wanders off track.

| Jun 9, 2017

It does its best to honor the unique compassion of the account without succumbing to schmaltz or banal arthouse prestige. The success rate here is a little better than half.

| Original Score: C+ | Jun 6, 2016

Flicking back and forth in time may not make for a smooth narrative, but the message of forgiveness and reconciliation comes through loud and clear -- this is quite an extraordinary tale.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | May 17, 2016