Jeremy Paul Kagan directs Meredith Salenger, John Cusack and Ray Wise in this kid’s adventure where a young teenager must ride the rails through Depression era America to reunite with her father.

A childhood favourite of Natalie’s, this really won me over on second watch. The gritty, authentic setting. The constant sense of peril. The brilliant dog acting. Salenger’s un-cute lead performance. Her chemistry with a generous Cusack. The exciting set pieces with convincing stunt work. The unforced air of futility to Natty Gann’s quest… and the ultimate heart pounding pay off. Every scene is pitched exactly right… never dumbing down for children but never crossing the line when exploring the hardwired bleakness. Yeah, more kids movies like this please.

9

Perfect Double Bill: Newsies (1992)

I write regular features about live comedy for British Comedy Guide here https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/bobby_carroll/features/