The Man on the Train (2002 film)

See also: Man on the Train (2011 film)

Man on the Train
United States theatrical poster
Directed by	Patrice Leconte
Produced by	Philippe Carcassonne
Written by	Claude Klotz
Starring	Jean Rochefort, Johnny Hallyday
Distributed by	Paramount Classics (USA)
Release date(s)	2 September 2002 (2002-09-02) (Venice) October 9, 2002 (2002-10-09)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	France
Language	French
Budget	€5 million
Box office	$7,585,989

L'homme du train (The Man on the Train) is a 2002 French crime-drama film directed by Patrice Leconte, starring Jean Rochefort and Johnny Hallyday. It is also known as Man on the Train in the United States.

The movie was shot in Annonay, France and won the audience awards at the Venice Film Festival for "Best Film" and "Best Actor" (Jean Rochefort) in 2002.

Though not an English-speaking film, the UK Film Council awarded £500,000 (€750,000) to assist its production.^[1]

Paramount Classics acquired the United States distribution rights of this film and gave it a limited US theatrical release on May 9, 2003 to a total of 85 theaters; this film went on grossing $2,542,020 in the United States theaters,^[2] which is a solid result for a non-English film.^[3] Paramount Classics was ecstatic with this film's performance in the United States market.^[4]

Plot

Milan (Hallyday) arrives in a small town by train at the start of the week. The hotel is closed, but he finds accommodation due to a chance meeting with a retired poetry teacher, Manisquier (Rochefort). The film tells the story of the developing relationship between these apparent opposites, though looming in the background are two unavoidable events that each is expecting to take place on the Saturday - Manisquier is to undergo a major operation, and Milan (though he keeps this secret at first) is to lead a bank robbery. Manisquier soon realises Milan's intentions, but this does not prevent a growing mutual respect, with each envying the other's lifestyle.

English-Language Remake

In 2010 Pembridge Pictures finished shooting an English-language remake of this film, starring Donald Sutherland as the professor and Larry Mullen Jr. as the thief.^[5]

References

1. ^ http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/awards?awardid=11935
2. ^ [1]
3. ^ [2]
4. ^ Making the Grade, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 August 2004
5. ^ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/man-train-cannes-2011-review-192311

External links

Film portal

• L'homme du train at the Internet Movie Database