Transiberian (2008)

"Transiberian" follows an American couple (Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer) in mortal trouble while traveling the famed Russian railroad path in bleak-as-hell winter. The Christian missionary husband and wife are sightseeing after volunteering in China for several weeks. Those plans go to shit after the couple encounters a Spaniard named Carlos (Eduardo Noriega) and his girlfriend (Kate Mara). The screws start turning about a half-hour in. Directed and co-written by Brad Anderson, this thriller is carried by its odes to Alfred Hitchcock and Agatha Christie, and a couple fleshed-out characters, especially Mortimer's recovering addict/nymphomaniac who's still finding her way as the wife of a devout religious man. But, all is put asunder by Harrelson's take on not just a dumb, out-of-his-league American tourist, but the dumb, out-of-his-league American tourist. Using a sarcastic clueless tone of voice, Harrelson's Roy sparks too many memories of the dope he played on "Cheers." An F.U. to Christians. Add in a Hollywood ending, and the film derails. C+