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A Reel Life film section

Issue: Autumn 2009


Passengers movie review

Claire is a therapist called in to work with the survivors of a plane crash. As she works with the group, discrepancies in their memories appear, and the survivors themselves start to disappear.

Very soon into watching this movie comes the feeling of deja vu. I've seen this before. Well, yes, you have. Don't consider this a spoiler, because the film Identity (2003) has done this before. The setting is different, the characters are different, but the resolution of the mystery is the same; and anyone who has seen Identity will recognise this.

If you haven't seen that film, this is an enigma wrapped in a love story. Claire has a passenger who refuses therapy and repeatedly tries to engage her in a personal relationship.

Movie poster, Passengers; Festivale film review

Movie poster, Passengers
The Truth Can't Hide Forever

Meanwhile the passengers are raising questions about the cause of the crash and the identity of a strange man who seems to be stalking them. Moreover, Claire is being stalked by an employee of the airline, she suspects him of trying to manipulate the situation.

It's an interesting idea, recently done before. Not a bad film for a rainy afternoon, but not a thriller by any means.

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by Ali Kayn
Due for Australian release 19 February 2009
For credits and official site details, see below
Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below.

See also: Identity; Anne Hathaway (Bride Wars, The Devil Wears Prada, Princess Diaries, Valentine's Day); Braugher (Frequency, City of Angels, Fantastic Four 2

Just the facts:

Title: Passengers (2008)
Written by: Ronnie Christensen
Directed by: Rodrigo García
running time:


The Players: Anne Hathaway, Patrick Wilson, Andre Braugher, Dianne Wiest, David Morse


Official website: http://thepassengersmovie.com
IMDb entry


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