and ..I'll never desert you what a line at FFL:D
L'Homme du Train, that remake interests me quite a bit not only because of the reference of Certainty vs Uncertainty of Life http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/messages/274598?threaded=1&m\ =e&var=1&tidx=1 http://tinyurl.com/7xc2o2p Patrice Leconte (the original version) specializes in miniatures,.small films with small casts in minimal settings. They are, in other words, very "theatrical", depending very much on character and nuance rather than plot. And when it comes to theatre, every time a play reopens somewhere, it's a "re-make", actually a "re-think" a "re-image". And who would refuse to see yet another Hamlet because "duh, I already seen it"? But Man on the train ( quite similiar to the remake of Straw Dogs,) was almost a scene for scene remake of the original just in a different location, and a little different order...pointless. with such a director and cutter.. oh forget little adapted line with references and quotes by EE Cummings, Bukowsky, Henry James etc NO---maskedzebra would have done a better (my apologies) script writing A couple of years back, Leconte has delivered another gem his "Monsieur Hire" with another dreamy ending. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elNCMX8EzAM Monsieur Hire tells the moving story of a voyeuristic misanthropic tailor a middle-aged, bald tailor much hated in his apartment complex by both elders and children alike for apparently no reason. When a a young teenage girl is murdered nearby, Monsieur Hire becomes the No-1 suspect of the police but Monsieur Hire is drawn into a different drama. He falls in love with Alice, the object of his voyeuristic fascination The setting is a dimly-lit corner Monsieur Hire is begging her to come away with him to Lausanne and hands her the train ticket: "He isn't worthy of you. I know he means a lot to you. I can make you forget him. It's okay if you love him more at first. I'll be patient All, I want is for you to smile again. I love it when you do. Alice, I'm a man of my word. I'll never desert you ." While the above scene was superb, the crowning glory of the movie comes toward the end when Monsieur Hire returns home from the train station and finds Alice and the police inspector in his home. In one of the most touching scenes , Monsieur Hire, wearing an expression of infinite sadness on his face, says: "You'll think me a fool, Alice. But I don't feel any anger. Just a deathly sadness. But never mind, you gave me my greatest joy". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwI-sszjQ70 Monsieur Hire is based on the novel by Georges Simenon. Original music by Michael Nyman.and Johannes Brahms Quatuor en Sol Mineur Op. 25. Oh, almost forgot to tell you that Patrice Leconte originally wanted to "make a remake "of Panique by Julien Duvivie and Barrio by Ladislao Vajda . For Bairitu and Emily et al: Monsieur Hire is available at the online DVD rental service Netflix. Don't worry if you can't follow French because the movie has English subtitles.-Barry Wright will certainly find his way... knowing Americans hates film with subtitle still nourish the hope of no US remake MERRY CHRISTMAS
