Ken Takakura gives a heart felt magical performance as an aging railroad station master closing out his time on the job looking back on his life around the anniversary of the death of his young daughter. Magical little story had me tearing up at the end as this beautiful film came to a close. Takakura is wonderful as the title character who has spent most of his life living in a small post at the end of the line in the wilds of Japan. To be certain the story is ultimately cliché as we have our hero looking back over his life and regretting the choices he made and facing an uncertain future, but at the same time there is something about this film, the performances, the photography , the music, that really sells the story and moves you. Its a wonderful little hidden gem of a film that is going on to me list of films that were wondrous discoveries this year. To be certain its not the best film but it is a heart warming, at times heart breaking, little film that deserves to be seen. (Those who love trains need to see this since the scenes of the trains in action make this a truly magical film to watch, after all there is nothing like watching trains in the country in the snow.)
Review of Railroad Man
Railroad Man
(1999)
a Beautiful and touching film that transcends cliché
20 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers