It would be easy to hide behind words such as 'arthouse', 'indie' and 'auteur' in an effort to review the interwoven stories that make up this happy little tale.

But it wouldn't being doing those that are swayed into watching movies for the sake of it any favours.

We start with Ermanno Olmi's tale of an elderly chemist, who is battling to make it home in time for his grandson's birthday.

After a helpful PA helps him get a train after he fails to get a flight, the professor sits and reminisces about days gone by, writing a letter to the helpful PA confessing of his attraction.

In the meantime, we are treated to analogies and metaphors – for instance, the scene in which the officials ask for papers is reminiscent of so many seen before in Nazi era Germany, and it's something that continues with a soldier on board the train that glares at him constantly throughout the journey.

It isn't so much what happens, but what we think might happen that clearly interests director Olmi.

The second instalment is widely considered the most important. Abbas Kiarostami's tale centres on a middle-aged woman who appears to go through all stages of an entire relationship with a young assistant.

She is en route to a funeral for her late army-general hubby and, thanks to the strongest performances and visuals, it is the most interesting to discuss in coffee shops where people click fingers and read poetry.

Easy to watch is not a phrased often used when describing a Ken Loach movie. But at least Ken's tale is one that attempts the occasional piece of humour.

Three Celtic fans are making their way to a massive game and, when a kid steals one of their train tickets, face a moral dilemma over whether or not to believe in the cheeky scoundrel's plight.

The Scottish humour sets Loach's section apart from the rest of the movie, but it's a brief respite that's a little bit too late.

There can be no doubt that this is an interesting piece of work from three of Europe's top directors, but it's not a great deal of fun to sit through unless you're in a studious mood.

It's not the ticket you're likely to pick at the multiplex.

Rich Phippen