The Man on the Train [Blu-ray]

Director: Patrice Leconte Patrice Leconte

Overview

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.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/11/2023
UPC:	0738329262396
Original Release:	2002
Rating:	R
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00
Sales rank:	40,928

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jean Rochefort	Manesquier
Johnny Hallyday	Milan
Charlie Nelson	Max
Pascal Parmentier	Sadko
Jean-Francois Stevenin	Luigi
Isabelle Petit-Jacques	Viviane
Edith Scob	Manesquier's Sister
Maurice Chevit	Hairdresser
Riton Liebman	Burly Guy
Olivier Fauron	Schoolboy
Veronique Kapoian	Baker
Elsa Duclot	Waitress
Armand Chagot	Gardener
Michel Laforest	Pharmacist
Alain Guellaff	Surgeon
Helene Chambon	Radiologist Nurse
Sophie Durand	Operating Room Nurse
Jean-Louis Vey	Verlin
Veronique Kapoyan	Actor
Sebastien Bonnet	Burly Guy's Friend
Jean-Jacques Cornillon	Bank Manager
Véronique Kapoian	Bakery Salesgirl
Jean-Jacques Cormillon	bank manager
Pascal Estève	Composer

Technical Credits

Claude Klotz

Claude Klotz	Screenwriter
Christophe Audeguis	Executive Producer
Remi Canaple	Stunts
Philippe Carcassonne	Producer
Matthias Weber	Special Effects
Patrice Leconte	Director

Editorial Reviews

This appealing film could be considered a conversational chamber piece that's based on the accumulation of small, revealing character moments. Not much happens in terms of plot or action, but there's little wasted time here; the filmmaking is remarkably efficient for a talky, low key movie. Director Patrice Leconte does manage to find time to slip some relatively unobtrusive humor into his movie, such as spoofing Once Upon a Time in the West at the beginning. But the movie's main appeal lies in the performances of the two leads. Jean Rochefort and Johnny Hallyday are both iconic figures in France, so seeing them together onscreen might not seem as significant to audiences outside their native country. Nonetheless, they have a great rapport, and Rochefort in particular is a delight to watch as he reveals the impish side to his character. The film is well crafted despite its (presumably deliberate) drab look emphasizing blues and grays. If you pay close attention, you may notice little details like how each of the two leads has his own musical theme and how characters occasionally appear abruptly in the frame instead of making a normal entrance (which happens just enough to give the movie a slightly surreal edge without being overdone). The story line may seem a bit slight, and it's open to debate whether there's real depth to the movie's role-reversal character study and whether the ending is a good fit for the rest of the film. But this is an engaging movie nonetheless.

All Movie Guide - Todd Kristel