The Man on the Train

Patrice Leconte's original French film, 2002's Man on the Train, played like an existential Western with Johnny Hallyday starring as a mysterious stranger who upends the life of Jean Rochefort's well-read retiree. In Mary McGuckian's English-language remake, U2's Larry Mullen Jr. sports the same dyed-black hairstyle as Hallyday (Mullen also co-composed the synth-based score). His black-clad character—known simply as the “Man”—arrives in a small Ontario town by train and runs into the Professor (Donald Sutherland) in a drugstore. After letting the Man have a few of his migraine tablets, the Professor invites him to his family estate for a visit. The talkative Professor—an English tutor living alone—seems grateful for the company in contrast with the Man, who is a fellow of few words, aside from odd epigrams like "Women aren't what they used to be" and "The older we get, the more precious we are." When it becomes too late to check in to the local hotel, the Professor invites the Man to stay, proceeding to tell him that he has never married, never been in a fight, and can't handle alcohol. Away from the Professor's curious eyes, the Man stores several firearms in a dresser, and then meets with a couple of colleagues (Graham Green and Tony Nardi) about a heist. Meanwhile, the Professor, whose health has been failing, takes on a new swagger apparently sparked by this exotic character staying under his roof. The Professor knows that the Man is up to no good, but finds that fact more exciting than worrisome. Unfortunately, the way their fates ultimately entwine doesn't make much sense, which blunts the intended emotional impact. Optional. (K. Fennessy)