Man on the Train

I loved this wonderful peaceful movie and can't understand why it has only 5.7 rate by IMDb reviewers. A simple and sensible story (by the way, don't forget that's a remake of a french title). Nowadays, I really enjoy watching movies like this because I'm tired of all those commercial, predictable, boring American movies. The film was produced with very limited resources but with heart and intention. It's one of those who at least makes us think and has not a boring final battle between good and evil. It is wonderful to find a movie that does a lot with so little. Donald Sutherland and Larry Mullen are both great and the simple music is effective and contributes to the intimate atmosphere.

A mysterious quiet man (Larry Mullen Jr.) arrives in the small town on a train. A poetry professor (Donald Sutherland) befriends the stranger and even takes him into his home. The man is in town to rob a bank with Sado (Graham Greene), Loco (Tony Nardi), and Max (Carlo Rota). He and the professor get to know each other as they discuss everything.

Mullen is playing the strong silent type and he does it with his stone face. Meanwhile Donald Sutherland is going off. He's acting for all he's worth with all his experience in tow. I don't see much in this performance for Mullen other than a lifetime of playing thugs with really short lines or playing in a really successful band. He should probably stick to the band. Sutherland is giving a lot here but Mullen isn't returning much. He has a flat monotone voice and stiff facial expressions. Although U2 fans may disagree vehemently. I saw the 2002 french movie, and I liked it for its attempt at a different kind of crime caper but I didn't love it. I have even less love for this one.

When a Robber(Larry Mullen Jr.) arrives in a small town, the VERY talkative and lonely Professor (Donald Sutherland) meets him and begins talking with the very quiet and emotionally constricted man. It's very awkward but soon the Robber finds he cannot find a room, as the local hotel is closed. The Professor is happy to invite the man to stay with him a few days and during the course of the stay, the Professor talks and talks and talks...mostly about how boring his life is and his many regrets. As for the Robber, he mostly just listens and talks little. Oddly, over time it becomes clear that each admires the other's life.

The story is simple and the film VERY low-key...so much so that I can understand why many reviewers seem turned off by the movie. I also thought the soundtrack (by Mullen) has decent aspects but at times it sounds very repetitive and needed more life...just like the story. Now I am not saying it's bad...but everything is super low energy and could have used an infusion of life. This is an aspect of the story you'll either love or hate, as I noticed reviewers were very widely divergent...either hating or loving the film.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie because it was different...but it also felt like an interesting experiment that just didn't work. A nice try...but nothing more.

The cliche is that one would listen to a beloved actor even reading the phone book, if only to hear their voice. Well, even though I absolutely adore Donald Sutherland and am aware that he will never make another movie --- being favourably disposed to these points as well as the fact that it is set and was filmed (rather nicely) in Canada --- incredibly, I had to stop watching. The dialogue is awful! Unrealistically literary, stilted, stupendously cringeworthy, unbearable. In fact, Sutherland's all-in pro delivery makes it even more regrettable. On the plus side, Brik's character is hilarious, and Greene is good as always.

This is a two Character Story about regret and missed opportunities and is fleshed out with a bouncy Performance from Sutherland with Rock Star Mullen standing in for the Role of the Professor's Polar Opposite. Mullen doesn't embarrass Himself with the Face of a road weary Soul, drained of energy and Life itself. But He really does nothing more than stand around, or sit around listening to "Words of Wisdom" with barely a reaction. This is not Acting it is showing up.

This is a delicate Movie with Literary Quotes and What If? contemplations strolling along to a somewhat Metaphysical Conclusion. It is interesting and is engaging enough for this sort of Stuff about a gentile Egghead and a tough and smart Born Loser.

Not the kind of Film for everyone and not the kind of Film that is on anyone's Best List. It is a Diversion, a way to escape from all the typical Hollywood Fare. This one is Laid Back and is couched in a Verbal rather than Visceral Style that is easy to like, but maybe just a little too aloof to Love.