Densha Otoko (Train Man), while containing an interesting premise based on a possibly real story that was posted on Japan's popular 2ch forum, misses the mark once too often during its running time and can't cross the line into rom-com history.
The story follows Train_Man (Takayuki Yamada), a Gundam otaku (not "otoku" as some reviewers have posted; otaku is some sort of nerd/geek who spends a great deal of time and money on Japanese animation collectibles; otoku has to do with being economical) who comes to the aid of Hermes (Miki Nakatani) as she's harassed by a chikan/pervert on a train. To pay him back for his heroics, she sends him a thank you gift. Meanwhile, Train_Man spends his days on 2ch, getting advice about how to win her over and become her boyfriend since he has never been out with a girl before. The rest of the film is spent with Train_Man as he changes his appearance to shed his geeky exterior and win the girl of his dreams.
That Hermes is the "girl of his dreams" is one of the film's problems, as her character is sorely underdeveloped and a bit silly. We never see her character go through any sort of development or arc and her manner of speaking is hilariously polite and formal, NEVER conversational. This is no fault of Miki Nakatani's, who is an excellent actress (just watch Memories of Matsuko for evidence of her skill), but more the fault of the filmmakers who, despite the film's "based on a true story" marketing scheme, create more of a fantasy than a true romantic comedy. Because of that, it's hard to get behind the character of Train_Man as he's so eager to get the girl, he drops his otaku exterior to become an outgoing, handsome, socially normal young man. That he gets the girl only after he changes his look and personality also gives the film an air of superficiality.
There's a lot from the 2ch transcripts that never made it into the film, such as how many posters thought Train_Man was a disgusting person. In the film, the entire forum is portrayed as a loyal supporter. And the idea of shut-ins (hikikomori) giving dating advice to an otaku, while sort of humorous, just doesn't play out as well as it should. Again, an amusing film, but nothing special.
The story follows Train_Man (Takayuki Yamada), a Gundam otaku (not "otoku" as some reviewers have posted; otaku is some sort of nerd/geek who spends a great deal of time and money on Japanese animation collectibles; otoku has to do with being economical) who comes to the aid of Hermes (Miki Nakatani) as she's harassed by a chikan/pervert on a train. To pay him back for his heroics, she sends him a thank you gift. Meanwhile, Train_Man spends his days on 2ch, getting advice about how to win her over and become her boyfriend since he has never been out with a girl before. The rest of the film is spent with Train_Man as he changes his appearance to shed his geeky exterior and win the girl of his dreams.
That Hermes is the "girl of his dreams" is one of the film's problems, as her character is sorely underdeveloped and a bit silly. We never see her character go through any sort of development or arc and her manner of speaking is hilariously polite and formal, NEVER conversational. This is no fault of Miki Nakatani's, who is an excellent actress (just watch Memories of Matsuko for evidence of her skill), but more the fault of the filmmakers who, despite the film's "based on a true story" marketing scheme, create more of a fantasy than a true romantic comedy. Because of that, it's hard to get behind the character of Train_Man as he's so eager to get the girl, he drops his otaku exterior to become an outgoing, handsome, socially normal young man. That he gets the girl only after he changes his look and personality also gives the film an air of superficiality.
There's a lot from the 2ch transcripts that never made it into the film, such as how many posters thought Train_Man was a disgusting person. In the film, the entire forum is portrayed as a loyal supporter. And the idea of shut-ins (hikikomori) giving dating advice to an otaku, while sort of humorous, just doesn't play out as well as it should. Again, an amusing film, but nothing special.