Review of The 15:17 to Paris

THE 15:17 TO PARIS (2018) **1/2 Judy Greer, Jenna Fischer, Thomas Lennon, Tony Hale, Jaleel White. Based on the true-life account of three childhood friends Ray Corasani, Alex Skarlatos & Anthony Sadler who became heroes when they stopped an attempted terrorist strike on the titular journey from Amsterdam to France, filmmaker Clint Eastwood gives backstory and intertwines the past with the contemporary event with deft aplomb and steady nerves. Based on the collaborative book by Sadler, Skarlatos and Spencer Stone & Jeffrey E. Stern, the adaptation by Dorothy Bylskal streamlines the parallel timelines evenly yet predictably too. Better than anticipated and with the gimmick of stunt casting the real-life trio (not actors) heightens the stakes of what is already knowledgeable with clarity.