The 15:17 to Paris

The 15:17 to Paris is an American biographical drama from 2018 directed by the legendary Clint Eastwood. The film stars the extraordinary trio of Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone, and Anthony Sadler, who play themselves, recounting a breathtaking true life event that transformed them from ordinary men into international heroes. They are surrounded by a capable supporting cast that includes Judy Greer, Jenna Fischer, and Ray Corasani.

The realistic biographical drama narrates the lives of three childhood friends from Sacramento, California: Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone, and Anthony Sadler. It showcases their journeys from being ordinary school children to becoming the men who thwarted a terrorist attack. From an early age, the film showcases them as American boys with an unbreakable bond of friendship who grow up to serve their country, in one capacity or another. Skarlatos becomes a member of the Oregon Army National Guard, Stone serves within the U.S. Air Force, and Sadler travels as a student.

The film interweaves moments from their youth, including school time, interactions with their parents, and other pivotal life events, with scenes from their European trip that leads them to the fateful train journey. This approach not only offers backstories that add depth to their characters but it meticulously builds up the narrative towards the climactic event.

Indeed, the primary thread is about their European backpack vacation in 2015. During this trip, they get on the Thalys train #9364 from Amsterdam to Paris, a journey that proved to be life-changing for the three men. The movie hits its momentum by revisiting the infamous terrorist attack attempted on this train by an armed gunman, leading to an extraordinary act of courage that shines a global spotlight on the brave trio.

What's particularly special about this film is that Eastwood took an unconventional casting decision by having the real-life heroes not only narrate their own story but be part of the drama by playing themselves. This creative choice lends an authentic touch to the story as it encapsulates their lived experience and emotions in their performances, taking viewers closer to the incident and its impact on the men.

Eastwood uses his decades of experience to craft a captivating narrative that imbues an everyday story with an extraordinary act of valor. He focuses not just on the dramatic climax, but also on the formative experiences of the three men, their shared bond, their individual struggles, and how they grapple with their lives after the event. The movie's pace may be slow and introspective at times, but it is a build-up that lends an added resonance to the explosive climax.

Despite being non-actors, Skarlatos, Stone, and Sadler convincingly depict their own characteristics and convey their complex emotional states before, during, and after the train attack. They succeed in capturing the essence of regular men who are thrust into an extraordinary situation and their remarkable courage is realistically and convincingly portrayed. Their admirable performances are supported by seasoned actors like Greer and Fischer who, as the mothers of two of the men, inject emotional intensity into the film.

The 15:17 to Paris is an exploration of everyday heroism. The film embodies the message that a hero can be an ordinary person making an extraordinary decision in a critical moment. Eastwood and his team use deft storytelling, immersive cinematography, and authentic performances from the actual heroes, to create a truly gripping cinematic experience filled with suspense, drama, and courage rooted in reality.

In summary, this is a story about three American friends who achieve the extraordinary. The 15:17 to Paris stands as an inspired example of how ordinary people are capable of acts of extraordinary courage. Imbued with a sense of authenticity and a nice blend of drama and suspense, it's a film that will provide you with a sense of inspiration and belief in the power of ordinary individuals in extraordinary circumstances. The movie serves as a testament to friendship, bravery, and the human spirit. The journey of Skarlatos, Stone, and Sadler in this film makes for an engaging and inspiring watch.