Man on the Train

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.

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.

Basically this film centers on just two actors, Donald Sutherland and Larry Mullen Jr.

As we all know, Donald is a seasoned veteran but U2 guy Larry is new to cinema, and boy does it show.

I guess Donald has about 3,000 pages of dialogue here to Larry's one page. Larry's excuse is that he is playing a guy (we never know his name) who doesn't say much, although he's on screen nearly as much as Donald.

Basically the movie is about Larry (known as the thief) who arrives in town straight off a train and makes an accidental acquaintance with a Professor, played by Sutherland. Bizarrely, the professor invites the thief to stay at his home, while the thief secretly plans a robbery at a local bank.

It's a very slow film that never picks up speed. Donald acts his socks off, but Larry is so quiet and dull, the film hardly makes an impact.

Without Sutherland this film would have bombed. With a different actor playing the thief it might have been better.

I give it 5/10 because of Sutherland but the movie really doesn't deserve it.

I had no idea what to expect - I was sitting around checking out the new cable TV offerings and this came up. I was immediately caught up in this wacky little story (the path not taken, trading places, etc.). It's very low key for sure but that's a refreshing change of pace as far as I am concerned. The professor was a bit overly quirky (the nutty professor?) but still, if you accept it, it makes the movie that much more enjoyable.

I did not know that the "thief" was a U2 member - and I am glad I didn't know - I may have pre-judged the performance. I thought he was terrific - his character had fewer lines than Southerland but he definitely has an on screen presence that is engaging (I thought he must be some stage actor transitioning to movies because I'd never seen him before and I do see a lot of movies).

I am surprised to see negative reviews. Yes, the ending was a bit confusing but then it all comes together. One of the more interesting movies I've seen in a quite a while. Worth watching for sure.