Watch Rails & Ties

Rails & Ties is a 2007 drama film directed by Alison Eastwood and starring Kevin Bacon, Marcia Gay Harden, and Miles Heizer. The movie tells the story of a woman named Megan, who is dealing with the devastating fact that she can't conceive a child, and her husband, Tom, who works as a train conductor. One day, Tom sees a woman commit suicide by throwing herself in front of his train. The incident deeply affects Tom and he becomes obsessed with the woman's son, Davey, who was in the car with her when she died.

Tom becomes a substitute father figure to Davey, as the boy has no other family. However, Megan doesn't initially approve of Tom's decision to take the boy under his wing, as he is not emotionally equipped to deal with his own infertility issues, let alone take care of another person's child. Megan thinks that they should leave the boy alone and let the authorities take care of him, but Tom wants to help the little boy, who he sees as a victim of tragic circumstances.

As Megan and Tom try to figure out what to do with the boy, they find out that Davey's mother's death was not an accident but a suicide, and that Davey's father, who was never really a part of Davey's life, is actually a criminal on the run from the law. With the impending arrival of Davey's father, Megan and Tom are forced to make tough decisions about whether or not they can legally adopt Davey and provide a better life for him despite the possibility of facing charges for hiding him.

The film is an emotional rollercoaster as it explores themes of grief, loss, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit. The lead characters all give powerful performances that keep the audience engaged and rooting for them throughout the film. Kevin Bacon's portrayal of Tom is particularly noteworthy as he seamlessly switches between playing a conflicted, flawed protagonist and a loving, protective father figure. Marcia Gay Harden delivers an equally nuanced performance as Megan, who tries to reconcile her empathy for Davey with her own emotional baggage.

The film's cinematography is also noteworthy, as the train tracks serve as a visual metaphor for the lead characters' emotional journey. The sound design excellently captures the train's whistles and chugging, creating an immersive experience for the audience.

One of the film's strengths is the way it handles heavy subject matter in a sensitive manner without being overly melodramatic. The story is grounded and realistic, making it easy for audiences to relate to the characters and their struggles.

In the end, Rails & Ties is a moving and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of human relationships and the lengths we will go to protect those we care about. It's a must-see for fans of emotionally charged dramas that stay with you long after the credits roll.

Rails & Ties is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 44.