Man on the Train

2002 Drama

Two men from two different walks of life develop an unexpected friendship in French director Patrice Leconte's 2002 comedy-drama The Man on the Train. Weary from his trip and in anticipation of the heist he's about to perform, Milan (French rock star Johnny Hallyday) steps off the train after arriving in the small town where he's to meet his co-conspirators and heads straight to the town pharmacy. After accidentally buying the wrong product, Milan makes the acquaintance of retired teacher Manesquier (Jean Rochefort), who offers to help the traveler and then promptly begins talking ad nauseum. Milan, after paying partial attention to the old man's ramblings, excuses himself to find accommodations -- only to run into Manesquier once more after learning that the hotel has closed for the night. As the two men talk, they develop a respect for one another, as well as a secret longing to live the type of lifestyle the other man lives based on the desire to escape their own. The Man on the Train gained positive notice after being selected for competition in the 2002 Venice Film Festival, as well as for the 2002 Toronto Film Festival. more..

Director: Patrice Leconte

Starring: Jean Rochefort, Johnny Hallyday, Charlie Nelson, Pascal Parmentier,Jean-François Stévenin

 30 Reviews  10 Awards

Reviews

  • Leconte brings his film to transcendent closure without relying on stale plot devices or the clanking of the plot. He resorts to a kind of poetry. After the film is over, you want to sigh with joy, that in this rude world such civilization is still possible.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    19 January 2013

  • Goes from good to great in 90 minutes, and then it's over, except that it's really not, because this small masterwork grows even deeper and more affecting as it takes up permanent residence in your memory.

    Joe Morgenstern - The Wall Street Journal

    19 January 2013

  • Piquant, thoroughly engaging character drama.

    Desson Thomson - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • What a good movie. Sometimes you get tired of 'splaining and you just want to say: Hey, this one's really very good. That's all, folks. It's a damn good movie.

    Stephen Hunter - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • Mr. Leconte gives this meeting of opposites in Claude Klotz's script a lovely, sportive élan, instead of making it register as lumpy, obvious polemics.

    A.O. Scott - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Best Foreign-Language Film

    Central Ohio Film Critics Association (2004)

  • Best Foreign Film (Miglior Film Straniero)

    David di Donatello Awards (2003)

     

  • Best Actor

    European Film Awards (2003)

     

  • Best Foreign Film

    Florida Film Critics Circle Awards (2004)

  • Best Foreign Film

    Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards (2004)

Lists

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