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Riding the Rails
1988·Movie
·1h 30min·
Riding the Rails fingerprint
No humor.
Energy
Calm and low-key
- Fast Pace6
- Adrenaline5
- Tension4
Heart
Nostalgic and moving
Much of it is about family.
- Nostalgia8
- Pathos7
- Family Dynamics7
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay3
- Situational Comedy2
- Physical Comedy2
World
Class and money, history, and family
- World Immersion6
- Dialogue Centrality6
- Rewatchability5
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Acting7
- Character Depth7
- Direction6
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography6
- Editing6
- Music Composition6
Energy
MediumCalm and low-key
Riding the Rails is calm and low-intensity.
All energy traits
- Fast Pace6Quick tempo and momentum.
- Adrenaline5High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Tension4Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Spectacle3Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence3Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare1Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Slow Burn5Gradual build with payoff.
- Bleakness5Grim, stark outlooks.
Heart
MediumNostalgic and moving
Much of it is about family.
Emotionally, it's nostalgic and moving. Much of it is about family.
All heart traits
- Nostalgia8Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Pathos7Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Family Dynamics7Relationships and generational ties.
- Wholesome6Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Hopefulness6Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Catharsis6Emotional release and payoff.
- Coming of Age6Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Melancholy5Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Wonder4Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Romance3Love stories and emotional connections.
Related traits
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
- Bleakness5Grim, stark outlooks.
Humor
NoneA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Situational Comedy2Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy2Slapstick and visual gags.
- Satire & Parody2Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Dark Humor2Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Cringe Humor1Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
Related traits
- Wholesome6Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
World
MediumClass and money, history, and family
Its world is built around class and money, history, and family.
All world traits
- World Immersion6Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality6Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability5Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity3Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Class & Capitalism8Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Historical7Period settings and real events.
- Contemporary Realism6Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Social Commentary6Perspectives on society and norms.
- Psychological5Inner worlds and mind games.
Craft
MediumSolid, not remarkable
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.
All craft traits
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
- Direction6Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure6Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality6Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Intrigue5Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity5Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative2Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Fast Pace6Quick tempo and momentum.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
- Slow Burn5Gradual build with payoff.
Style
MediumFunctional look and sound
The look and sound stay functional.
All style traits
- Cinematography6Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality5Songs central to storytelling.
- Visual Stylization4Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality4Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality6Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
Fallen Wall Street yuppie turned hobo train-hopping across America in search of work and a new life.
Wiped out by a stock market crash, Sam Spencer suddenly finds himself broke and homeless in New York. When a friend offers him a job in California, Sam heads west the only way he can afford, hopping trains. Along the way, he befriends Enrique, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, and Enrique's canine companion who together introduce Sam to hobo culture.
Hobo CultureGreat Depression EraEconomic HardshipAmerican DreamFriendshipCross-Country JourneySocial CommentaryResilienceHuman Connection
Crew
Directed by:
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Movies
Shows
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about Riding the Rails
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Riding the Rails worth watching?
93
ExcellentGoodWatch scoreYes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 93/100 (Rotten Tomatoes 100%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
How long is Riding the Rails?
1 h 30 min
Riding the Rails runs 1 h 30 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on Riding the Rails?
Critics100
Audiences86
Not quite. Critics rate Riding the Rails higher (100) than audiences (86). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
What language is Riding the Rails in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.