Railroad Man (1999)

What is a lived life?

It is quite apparent the movie was adapted from a novel, and a well-known novel at that, given the simplicity of the plot.

A story about one man’s principles and work ethic, his regrets and how his choices in life impacted on those dearest and nearest to him. A small, quiet, intimate and beautifully made film with subtle layers to its themes. That said, it was also very straightforward, as befitting a story with such subject matters.

The ending, as it was, did not come as a surprise as much as it was expected.

A movie you watch for the questions it brings to the table about what constitutes a life, that ever constant fact of life, change, and the struggles therein. There is no doubt why the novel it was based on was a modern classic. The themes touched on showed that clearly.

The film was not attempting to wow, and did not have any pretensions to such, and in that, I appreciated its honesty, just like the themes it wanted to convey to the audience. Simple yet thought provoking, and crucially, an emotional experience.

I would say this is a good film for its genre, if nothing remarkable. Worth a watch for an understanding of one aspect of the human condition. One with a Japanese flavour, poignant and evocative.

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