There is nothing inherently wrong with this film, it is very sweet, quaint and positively intoxicating with its timeless charm of trains in the Yorkshire countryside. But the audience need something more to keep The film from being boring; it is simply not enough to recycle the same locations and the same plot points because from very early on this film just becomes a predictable tribute to the superior 1970s version.
An interesting point to note is how everyone from film critics to members of the public have complained about the secondary theme regarding racial inequality. Nobody was expecting nor wanted this theme in the film and subsequently it is quite jarring and feels out of place according to many people. I for one argue that in order for a period film to be successful nowadays it has to carry social related issues such as racial inequality in order for it to be able to relate to the wider public. After all, we are now so much more aware of racial related issues, ignoring it is hard to do.
In spite of the beautiful shots there was a really terrible continuity errors that were next to unforgivable and the hammy acting. Of the children left much to be desired when it came down to the casting director's choices.
This film will mostly have a fondness towards it, but it's destined to be consigned to TV as a Sunday afternoon filler.
An interesting point to note is how everyone from film critics to members of the public have complained about the secondary theme regarding racial inequality. Nobody was expecting nor wanted this theme in the film and subsequently it is quite jarring and feels out of place according to many people. I for one argue that in order for a period film to be successful nowadays it has to carry social related issues such as racial inequality in order for it to be able to relate to the wider public. After all, we are now so much more aware of racial related issues, ignoring it is hard to do.
In spite of the beautiful shots there was a really terrible continuity errors that were next to unforgivable and the hammy acting. Of the children left much to be desired when it came down to the casting director's choices.
This film will mostly have a fondness towards it, but it's destined to be consigned to TV as a Sunday afternoon filler.