Tom Stark (Kevin Bacon) is a train engineer trying to stay at work to deal with the fact that his wife Megan (Marcia Gay Harden) has cancer. Then his train hits a car on the tracks, killing a young mother. Her little boy, Davey (Miles Heizer), finds Tom and his wife. He blames Tom at first, but Megan wants to take the child in. Slowly, the three bond, but as Megan gets sicker and Davey’s social worker tracks him down, how will all their lives change?

CRITIQUE

The directing career of Clint Eastwood has recently established itself a firm and sizeable amount of respectability. Now, an innate sense of drama seems to be in the family, as his daughter Alison has helmed her first film. Rails & Ties is a film that fills a viewer’s heart with the genuine, powerful emotion presented in every moment of acting and story.

Just superficially, the idea of combining a terminal illness and a train accident may strike as overkill. Each situation has such inherent drama on its own, and they could easily make full separate stories. This script puts the two together, though, and the result isn’t a maudlin as some viewers might expect. This is because there is an authenticity to every moment from the first frame. Tom’s friends attempt to be supportive but his instinct is to keep working. Megan receives the news that the end of her life is near. Davey exhibits responsibility that no child his age should have to as he cares for his mom.

This is all presented simply but effectively, and is just the beginning of the film. After the accident, blame for the outcome is believably handled- Tom clings to the fact that he followed the rules but he fights with a friend and co-worker over it and Davey initially wants to know why he didn‘t stop the train. Megan’s illness is kept in the background at this point but is consistently mentioned so the viewer never forgets what will come.

There are also stunningly emotion moments like a fight in the car between Tom and Megan that touches on their never having children of their own. Davey’s emotions at being in the house and a part of something that has a semblance of a normal family are quite authentic and touching. His breakdown at the final stage of Megan’s illness is also wrenching, and Heizer proves himself a naturally talented actor.

Similarly, he is surrounded by gifted stars. Bacon has rarely had a role this good and he takes full advantage of it. Harden is her usual, reliably superior self, and I also like the brief performance by Marin Hinkle as Davey’s social worker. Rails & Ties is filled with true emotion throughout, emphasized by the elegant simplicity of the direction and the talented actors.

THE VIDEO

Widescreen format makes for a pristine transfer from the theatrical print in both color and picture. The format is excellent for home viewing of a film that is small in scale like this one, elevating the experience.

THE AUDIO

Only an English language track is offered, in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, of course. There are Spanish and French subtitles offered aside from the English, though.

THE EXTRAS

Additional Scenes: A little over 7 minutes of deleted scenes are available here and they are as good as the film itself. The first is an illuminating glimpse into Tom’s childhood, revealing him to be similar to Davy. The rest of the content here excises a scene where Davy had originally tried to travel to Los Angeles before finding Tom and Megan, as well as a conversation between Davy and Megan about what happens in that scene. These are definitely worth a watch.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Throughout Rails & Ties, the dramatic story is served well by the acting and direction. Emotion will fill the audience during the powerful moments.