Train Station for Two tells the story of two people, Planton and Vera, who meet at a train station and through hilarious mishaps start to fall in love with each other. These mishaps only serve to stress Planton even more, but he finds happiness in the situation with Vera. However, they are unfortunately reminded of their depressing situation at every turn and cannot afford to forget their reality – Planton's impending trial for a crime he did not commit and a subsequent stay in jail, and Vera with her low-paying job, struggling to make ends meet and raise a child after her divorce. This is a very unique film in that it is comedic, yet bittersweet. Although they come from opposing backgrounds Planton and Vera are able to form a solid relationship that doesn't feel contrived and by the end of the film there is still some hope to be found for them. This film also shows integral parts of Soviet life wonderfully with Andrei's profiteering from melons to shoes and the inequality experienced by many people. The role of the train station in this film is pivotal and in the final scenes when Planton and Vera are desperately trying to get back on time it feels like they have finally been freed from the monotony of the train station. The ending scene was very impactful because it was able to condense all of the feeling of the film into this one scene where we have a bittersweet moment when Vera visits Planton, which then turns into a comedic moment as they race to make it back to the prison on time. Train Station for Two is a excellent film that manages to not be cliché for its genre.
Review of A Railway Station for Two
