Touches You

Highly Overrated But Still Good

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

I am very fond of this movie, which I have watched several times. It is exceptionally well made, with not a single scene that does not work. It is funny, wise, droll and sensitive. Acting and direction are impeccable. It is not a great film, in fact the very idea of greatness is at odds with the elegiac tone and message. But it is a deeply satisfying one, and watching it is a bit like wallowing in a warm bath with a single malt and Chopin playing, preferably the same Chopin as in the film. The film is not flawless. The plot premise is totally incredible and the ending doesn't work, but what the heck. Roger Ebert has a very good review of it.

Two older men towards the end of their lives, meet, become friends of a sort, and part. Not the usual cheerer-upper for the Multiplex, but a thoughtful, intimate and often strange film from quirky director Patrice Lecomte; many of the reviews you may read use the word melancholy, and it is that--but in its careful observation of the habits and haunts of these men, it is also quietly funny, from the obvious parody of Spaghetti Westerns transferred to a moribund French village, to the purveyor of baguettes who always queries if " there be anything else?"Man On The Train is a film about friendship, about the value we put on our lives, about last minute regrets, about a lot more than the sound of the train on tracks that frequently haunts the film, mixing with a muted, mysterious soundtrack. Like Lecomte's quietly observant and haunting "The Hairdresser's Husband," this is an oddity whose difference makes it memorable viewing.

This movie makes us think and wonder. Enthralling. Very interesting characters. A quiet story but stirring deep in our hearts. It made me feel and think about the emotions and thoughts happening to the characters. Like a good book, it's good that it's slow. There's room for subjective interpretations on the many layers of story. The viewer can identify itself to either of the main characters, which is rare in modern films. The cinematography and sound track are so perfectly matched to the film that it never distracts us.Worth seeing and recommending. Diane

From start to finish, a beautifully understated film that gradually draws you in. The cinematography, which showcases some excellent performances enhanced by deft direction, is to be envied. In fact, there's nothing in this movie that's not to be envied. Although the storyline is a tad predictable, it's the journey that's important and not the destination. (And the route taken, I stress again, is about as picture-perfect as it gets.) It's rare that a film made along these lines doesn't punk out; that this one doesn't is a feather in the cap of all involved. Tired of the same old stuff? Check out this one. If you like great movies, you won't be disappointed.