Well, not exactly.

Johnny Hallyday, the Gallic rock legend once known as "the French Elvis," and Jean Rochefort, the elegant 73-year-old actor cast as Quixote in Terry Gilliam's failed Cervantes project (chronicled in the documentary "Lost in La Mancha"), star in this witty and elegiac character study. Only, imagine if Elvis had always dreamed of being like Quixote, and vice versa.

Hallyday plays Milan, a wary, well-traveled crook who gets off the train in a small French resort town. He's there to rob the bank. But it's the off season and the one hotel is closed. A chance encounter leads to his staying with Manesquier (Rochefort), a retired poetry teacher who lives in a genteelly decaying mansion that hasn't changed since his mother died 15 years before.

Both have important appointments in three days. While Milan and his gang are knocking over the bank, Manesquier will be undergoing heart surgery.

Otherwise, they seem to have nothing in common. Milan, with his stubbled, lived-in face and dangerous eyes, couldn't be further from his host, who cooks, reads and plays the piano. "Aside from needlepoint," Manesquier ruefully notes, "I have all the skills of a well-groomed early-19th-century young woman."

Slowly, a friendship is forged, along with a gentle envy of the other's life. Manesquier, who passes his days doing jigsaw puzzles, longs to be like Milan, someone who's been places and done things -- even unlawful things. Meanwhile, Milan is taken with Manesquier's quiet life of books, slippers and a pipe. In one sublime scene, Milan teaches Manesquier how to fire a gun; in return, Manesquier teaches Milan about poetry.

The film has the offbeat deadpan humor of a Coen brothers movie. Manesquier attempts to emulate his tough-guy pal and confronts some unruly customers in a local cafe. Instead of a fight, he gets an embrace; one of the guys is a former student who adores Manesquier for teaching him poetry.

At the same time, a wistful sense of mortality hangs over the picture like a shroud. Leconte and his longtime collaborator, writer Claude Klotz, ponder the road not taken. In doing so, they manage to also explore the nature of friendship -- a very different thing from a Hollywood buddy movie.

Speaking of which, a Hollywood version would seem likely (I'm thinking Michael Douglas and Dick Van Dyke). But see it in this original version -- with these iconic stars and this remarkable director whose previous work includes exquisite films such as "Monsieur Hire" and "The Hairdresser's Husband." No one mixes graceful melancholy and bittersweet comedy better than Leconte. A minor tale of regret and possibility, "Man on the Train" lingers like a wishful memory.

Inside AJC.COM

Alan Jackson in concert

The country singer performed at Chastain Park this weekend, along with Blake Shelton.

Best of the Big A!

Which sports bar did you vote the best? Plus vote for your favorite food event.

Who has the fine whine?

Who's the whiniest football coach in the SEC? Tell Metro Atlanta what you think.

Tonight's dinner, solved!

Find good and easy recipes with our big Evening Edge database.

Look who turned 16

Miley Cyrus celebrated her Sweet Sixteen with whom else? Mickey Mouse at Disneyland.

Atlanta's schools

See how Georgia's public & private schools compare.

MOMania

Helping you raise healthy children without going insane.

Q&A with T.I.

A Q&A with the Atlanta-based rapper about his new movie "Bone Deep."

Making the perfect cookie

How about making some yummy cookies for co-worker or friend who is feeling down?