L'Homme Du Train Reviews

Magnetic

Directed by Patrice Leconte (Girl on the Bridge) this film is about two men Johnny Hallyday and Jean Rochefort who meet in a quiet small town. Hallyday arrives for a bank job and is offered to stay at Rochefort's as the hotel is closed. The two men are quite opposite characters but are struck by a friendship that changes each others life.

I can't determine what makes this film so engaging but it is simply wonderful.

Good film

Other reviewers have covered this film very well.

I am taking the time out of respect for the film.

Direction, acting and plot are all excellent.

Only one `choice? bit of profanity in the whole film!

The films pace is steady, realistic portrayals of two different men, who have led very different lives. Each sees the merit in parts of the others life, you grow to like both characters.

They were meant to meet each other, the ending well, I don?t want to give too much away, leaves you wondering.

I prefer to be optimistic.

If you are capable of relaxing with a steady paced film that unfolds slowly, revealing the characters inner thoughts, you will like this film.

Simple and engaging

A chance meeting gives two men the opportunity to live their lives just a little bit differently for a few days, and shows how much their meeting affects them both.

Subtleties of behaviour and character are expressed so finely at times, you forget the two leads are acting. Hallyday has come to the small town where Rochefort lives to rob the bank. Rochefort is due to have heart surgery and feels his life has slipped away from him. Together, they each take a little bit of the other's personality and find themselves living richer lives.

This is a charming story well told by the ever reliable Leconte, and superbly acted by Rochefort and Hallyday. The warmth of Rochefort's home is offset by the blue filter used in scenes set in and around the town, and the picturesque surroundings are wonderfully photographed. But it is the interaction between Rochefort and Hallyday which makes it all worthwhile.

Highly recommended, and if you like this, I'd recommend you also check out The Hairdresser's Husband, and Ridicule, also by Leconte.

Very slow moving however it takes you in

You will want to know what is going to happen. It is like a fable, short story, put into a slow movie. The acting is very good, the scriptwriting is excellent and made me laugh a few times. It has very true touches such as the breadshop assistant's incessant question to all her customers. It is sad and funny at the same time. Not your action movie more like a thinking type of movie. On the whole enjoyable and not forgettable. It leaves you with a feeling of a piece of culture, life in another country, and sad thoughts.

Worth watching if you like that kind of movie.

Intelligent and very moving

A film about regret and disappointment in which two very different men, a schoolteacher and a thief, meet by chance and discover a strange bond. It's rare to see such an emotional relationship between two men onscreen. Both actors are simply superb in their roles. I loved the Spaghetti Western feel to the film, with the Ry Cooder-like soundtrack for the Hallyday character. And the ending though open to interpretation was oddly satisfying, allowing us to make up our own minds.

a quiet reflective film about life and getting old

Whilst the two men do not meet at a train station but in a chemist shop (probably not so interesting perhaps)this is a thoughtful look into two mens lives when they meet and get to know one another over a few days. They dont talk much but there are careful and detailed observations that develop over the life of the film, which gives the viewer an analysis of each mans character and growing respect for each other . Worth seeing.

Charming

An interesting and charming tale of two peoples worlds that collide. Direction and acting is superb and is only matched by the excellent cinematography. The plot strolls along with arrogant excellence. It opens up one's mind into a realisation of 'are we what we think we are?' Great movie, just what we come to expect of stylish French cinema.

A funny, bittersweet and beautiful portrait of two men whose very different worlds briefly coincide. Good looking, intelligently narrated film.

Intelligent

I generally merely tolerate the French films my wife watches but I was rivetted by this(forgot to smoke). In my opinion it was a highly skilled and intelligent commentary on men's feelings at a certain age looking back and wondering what their lives would have been like, had they made different choices and wondering if they'd left it too late to change everything. A great man's movie !The soundtrack was the most suited to any film I have ever seen and the acting was spot-on.Five stars and this is high praise from someone who usually likes Horror, Sci-fi and Action/Adventure.

Magical

This film kept me smiling throughout. If you're after action and plot twists then this probably isn't for you, but if you're looking for a perfect antidote to Hollywood then give it a go. The characters and dialogue were honest and believable. It is a very gentle comedy/drama although I did laugh out loud once or twice.

The story is almost entirely centred around two men who meet accidentally. They appear to be completely opposite in character but are really just two sides of the same coin, each bringing something special to the others life.

My only criticism is that it should have finished 10 minutes earlier. Everything that was merely suggested before this was spelt out in a rather clumsy, obvious way.