L’Homme du Train [Man on the Train] **** (2002, Johnny Hallyday, Jean Rochefort, Jean-François Stévenin) – Classic Movie Review 6729

‘Two strangers with nothing in common are about to trade their lives for a chance to cheat their destinies.’ Director Patrice Leconte’s deliciously quirky and richly enjoyably 2002 French thriller presents the irresistibly attractive prospect of starring Johnny Hallyday with Jean Rochefort.

Arriving at a small French town to rob the bank, a gangster called Milan (Hallyday) finds that the only hotel is closed and so he stays over with a retired teacher, Monsieur Manesquier (Rochefort), after they meet by chance in the local pharmacy.

The two superbly judged, winning performances are the main delights of this chatty but entertaining little gem, wittily and atmospherically handled by Leconte.

Rochefort is usually such a scene-stealer, and so he is here once again, but it is a nice surprise to find Hallyday holding his own.

Also in the cast are Jean-François Stévenin, Charlie Nelson, Pascal Parmentier, Isabelle Petit-Jacques and Edith Scob as Manesquier’s sister.

L’Homme du Train is directed by Patrice Leconte, runs 90 minutes, is released by Pathé and Paramount, is written by Claude Klotz, is shot by Jean-Marie Dreujou, is produced by Philippe Carcassonne, is scored by Pascal Estéve and designed by Ivan Maussion. The production companies are Canal +, Ciné B, Eurimages, Pandora, Film Council, Zoulou, Tubedale and Pathé.

Both stars passed away in 2017.

Jean Rochefort (1930–2017).

Jean Rochefort died on 9 October 2017, aged 87.

Johnny Hallyday (1943–2017).

Johnny Hallyday died on 5 December 2017, aged 74.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6729

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