Deidra & Laney Rob a Train

Deidra & Laney Rob a Train is a 2017 American comedy-drama film directed by Sydney Freeland and written by Shelby Farrell. This quirky, offbeat, and heartwarming film boasts a septet of characters that defy stereotypes and offers a vibrant depiction of the two titular characters’ paths to self-discovery. The movie features noteworthy performances of Ashleigh Murray, Rachel Crow, and Lance Gray, among others.

Once seen, the title alone serves as an enticing hook – Deidra & Laney Rob a Train. However, the film is not a simple caper movie as it might suggest. Instead, it is an offbeat story of sisterhood, family struggles, and daring to cross conventional boundaries.

The film opens with Deidra Tanner (Ashleigh Murray), the older of the two sisters, who is a high school senior, aspiring valedictorian, and a de facto mother to her younger siblings. Her ambition is to leave her small Idaho town to further her studies and escape the challenging circumstances at home. Deidra is a pragmatic go-getter who also uses her intellect to supplement the household income by helping her classmates cheat on their coursework.

Laney (Rachel Crow) is Deidra's younger sister, a socially awkward high school freshman struggling with being unnoticed at school, as well as the emotional perils of being a teenager. Lance Gray plays their kid brother, Jet Tanner, an innocent young boy caught in the family’s dysfunctional, yet love-filled circumstances.

Their life takes a turbulent turn when their unconventional but loving mother (played by Danielle Nicolet) gets jailed for a nervous breakdown at her workplace. The sudden change leaves Deidra as the sole provider for the family, and she struggles to juggle school, her clandestine business, and childcare responsibilities. Swamped with bills and the fear of being placed in foster care, Deidra devises an audacious plan to rob trains passing by their backyard, convinced by her ability to outsmart the local authorities.

The movie is as much about the bizarre heists as it is about the struggle of everyday life. Deidra's evolution from adolescent ingenuity into an entrepreneurial criminal mastermind is rewarding to watch, and Laney's development from a shy teenager to a determined accomplice swells with warmth.

The sisters' dynamic forms the emotional core of the film. Their relationship varies from typical sibling rivalry to emotional anchors for each another, grappling with their chaotic life. The portrayal of intelligent and independent young women faced with difficult decisions and navigating through adversity forms the heart of this film.

Thrown into these troubling circumstances, the girls face realistic and unreasonable expectations on the cusp of their future. Their courageous and sometimes mischievous steps toward self-reliance illuminate their tenacity. The antics of their train robberies blend comedy with suspense, showcasing their boldness in the face of adversity. Despite being on the wrong side of the law, Deidra's and Laney's actions are a struggle for survival, not rebellion.

The movie, while dealing with serious subjects, maintains a lighthearted tone throughout. It’s infused with lively humor, highlighting the sisters’ grit amidst their trials. The supporting characters, including Miss Chu (Sasheer Zamata), a school counselor, and Truman (Tim Blake Nelson), a railway detective, add compelling layers to the plot without overshadowing the starring duo.

In Deidra & Laney Rob a Train, the setting adds an additional character to the film. The small-town atmosphere, with its vast landscapes and the ever-present train tracks, sets an apt backdrop for the sisters' audacious endeavor.

Though it's a seemingly unconventional tale, the film delves into the strength of sisterhood, the struggles of responsibility, and the pressure to secure a better future. The movie does not fixate on the 'right or wrong' of their actions; rather, it focuses on the girls’ audacity, resourcefulness, and resilience in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, Deidra & Laney Rob a Train is more than just a crime-comedy about two sisters turning to train robberies to stay afloat. It’s a testament to courage and love and depicts the lengths to which the duo will go to keep their family together. This unconventional film successfully takes viewers on a unique and heartwarming journey, filled with tension, laughter, and unexpected ambitions.