Night Train to Lisbon

An ageing academic embarks on a journey of self-discovery in this old-fashioned European thriller. Adapted from Pascal Mercier's bestselling novel, it invites us into the life of Raimund Gregorius (Jeremy Irons), a lonely Swiss teacher who prevents a young woman from killing herself. He becomes captivated by a book she leaves behind and then travels to Portugal in an attempt to track down its author, a doctor named Amadeu de Prado (Jack Huston). From here, the film switches between past and present, detailing how Amadeu become involved in an underground movement that opposed Portugal's fascist regime during the early 1970s. These flashbacks don't offer much in the way of tension or suspense, while the modern-day scenes are undermined by some unconvincing contrivances. Still, the story is serviceable and Irons is an uncommonly engaging performer - even when playing a character described as boring.