Express Train Film Review

Before Kiyoshi Atsumi wormed his way into the hearts of the Japanese movie going audience playing Tora-san in an infinite number of films, he was the wonderful Mr. Aoki, conductor of an Express train in four films. This is the first in the series and I would love to find the other three. Not that this is s great film; a bit of humor, short vignettes, a lot of train and the passing scenery but it was a touching humane film that is bound to ail whatever is bothering you. Mr. Aoki is the man we wish everyone was, caring, stern, vulnerable, all showing on his every man flat face and tiny eyes. A bit of the Tora-san in him but more steady and competent.

He is the very proud conductor of an express train and sleeper. He runs the crew with sage advice and gentle admonishments. He has been doing it for years, being away from his wife (Akemi Negishi) and four children for days at a time. He is almost puzzled how he ended up this way. I never had time to divorce my wife, he says. We have nothing in common. I am the second son of a poor farmer and she was brought up in a wealthy brewery family.

We go with Mr. Aoki and his train for two trips. A jewel and underwear thief steals from a group of salacious working girls while they sleep, a young boy is on his way for a heart operation, one of his underlings is fooling around with the snack seller (Reiko Ohara) on train time, a passenger delivers a baby and Mr. Aoki takes charge of everything. But when he sees Mariko (Yoko Mihara), a woman that he once had a huge crush on years before, he is at a loss as what to do. In films like this, you know everything will work out and that is why I like them. Gentle and sweet. A lost Japan. If it ever existed.