Review: Train Man: Densha Otoko

Train Man: Densha Otoko (2005) is the best foreign film I've seen. It is a Japanese movie about a computer "geek" who spends most of his time online. He sees a girl on the train, and becomes enamored, but his incredible shyness prevents him from attempting to meet her. He turns to his online friends, whom he has never met in person, for advice on how to get the girl's attention and to win her affection.

I love how the different stories of those giving advice are shown, and how it portrays the way that we can be surrounded by people, but profoundly lonely as well. A married couple are both giving the main character advice, without knowing that their spouse is also a part of the online group. They are married, in the same house, and neither know of their common interest. I feel that this is a good portrayal of how online connections can be connecting or alienating from your real life relationships.

The various online friends give advice on his clothes, hair, and what to say and do. The transformation is not perfect, however he does get the girl's attention, and changes both his way of life and the isolating path which he was previously following.

I think it could be used as a recommendation to students, though perhaps not in the classroom as it is difficult to find the time to watch a feature film. Perhaps parts of the movie could be shown, such as the parts showing the city of Tokyo, the key scenes showing the online interactions. It's a happy movie, warning against an over-involvement in online relationships, and it encourages the viewer to interact with others in person, build relationships, and to take a chance on life.