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      Poppoya: Railroad Man

      1999 1h 51m Drama List
      Reviews 79% 250+ Ratings Audience Score Sato Otomatsu (Ken Takakura) works for the railroad that serves his small, out-of-the-way Japanese village. When he learns that he will soon be out of a job because his unpopular line is being shut down, Sato starts recalling his earlier career, when he spent more time at work than with his now-deceased wife and young daughter. The sad memories begin to dissipate, though, when a teenage girl with a passion for trains unexpectedly enters his life. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member The story of an underpopulated stationmaster in the snowy countryside of Japan. Neither the story nor the worldview is flashy; it moves along quietly. After watching it, I could feel that it was a good movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member BS, R3.1 健さん，いい演技してる Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Etienne P Ken Takakura plays a man who has put his Job ahead of everything. Now approaching retirement he clings to the daily routine of a Stationmaster. However this is a remote rural station which is at the end of the line ( in all possible ways ). His gruff exterior hides a deep reservoir of pain at the ( probably needless ) sacrifices he has made. His family paid the price while the Rail Company barely knows he is there. His old friend tries to get him to retire and take a cushy job at a nearby resort but the Stationmaster wants to stay on duty. There are many flashbacks to his past life even as a mysterious girl appears in his life. Her appearance is not a coincidence. A strong and mature film with echoes of a man with many regrets, clinging to his duty. It's a very poignant watch with an emotional punch at the end. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/18/17 Full Review Alexander W One of my favourite tear-jerkers. Always feel good after this movie, though. Really captures the value of life against the white backdrop of Hokkaido. Has a beautiful score by Sakamoto Ryuichi. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/17/12 Full Review Audience Member The ending was just a silent twist. Detail depiction on the ethusiasm of Ken Takakura, though seems stubborn, about his job. And it has romanticized the job of a train officer in a very natural way. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Huge fan of Takakura Ken. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Poppoya: Railroad Man

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Sato Otomatsu (Ken Takakura) works for the railroad that serves his small, out-of-the-way Japanese village. When he learns that he will soon be out of a job because his unpopular line is being shut down, Sato starts recalling his earlier career, when he spent more time at work than with his now-deceased wife and young daughter. The sad memories begin to dissipate, though, when a teenage girl with a passion for trains unexpectedly enters his life.
      Director
      Yasuo Furuhata
      Producer
      Tan Takaiwa
      Screenwriter
      Yoshiki Iwama, Yasuo Furuhata
      Production Co
      Toei Tokyo
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      Japanese
      Runtime
      1h 51m