#140RVW
I don’t know when I’ve felt so refreshed by a truly original movie. Phenomenal acting in this well-written & directed quiet comic drama…
What’s more:
Finbar McBride is a solitary train enthusiast who works with his boss and only friend Henry at a model train shop. When Henry dies unexpectedly one afternoon, Fin’s world is upturned; the shop is closed and he inherits an abandoned old train depot in Newfoundland, New Jersey. His attempts to retreat quietly to the country where he can watch trains are continually interrupted by intrusions from a grieving neighbor and an over-friendly food truck vendor desperate for a friend.
First time (!) writer/director Thomas McCarthy has crafted a wonderful film. Funny and moving, it is just as successful at being heartbreaking as heartwarming. It would have to be classified as a comedy/drama, although I think dramatic would be a better description than drama. It isn’t heavy-handed or full of “important” themes; it doesn’t play on your emotions or try to build tension. It is a great story told dramatically by a talented filmmaker and some great actors.
Peter Dinklage is absolutely captivating as Fin – he carries the movie, and if he were the only character I suspect it might still be interesting.
Fortunately he is surrounded by great talent, highlighted by Patricia Clarkson in a star-making role. (So why isn’t she a star? Get on that, Hollywood.) She plays a difficult role as an emotionally wounded woman estranged from her husband after the death of their young child. Her great strength is how believably she moves through a full range of emotions; this is a fully realized human being.
Bobby Canavale is Joe, a young man running his father’s food truck during the latter’s illness, and climbing the walls looking for someone to connect with. He’ll annoy you for a while until you realize he is the change agent that really is propelling the story forward.
Smaller roles are filled by Michelle Williams as the librarian and child actor Raven Goodwin as Cleo – both locals who are equally drawn to this interesting newcomer, despite his desire for solitude.
The film has a unique and pleasing tone. The way the characters organically adjust to each other is wonderful. It’s the stuff of real life, but marvelously depicted on screen – that’s really hard to do. Watch Fin slowly adapt to then embrace these other characters. Lovely.
The Station Agent was a big hit on the festival circuit, winning awards at Sundance and everywhere else, and with very good reason. Take a chance on this overlooked gem…
Poster:
Trailer:
http://youtu.be/nFIV69AbdqY
Bechdel Test:
Pass
The Representation Test Score: B (8 pts)
(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)
| Main Cast | Peter Dinklage Finbar McBride, Patricia Clarkson Olivia Harris, Bobby Cannavale Joe Oramas, Paul Benjamin Henry Styles |
| Rating | R |
| Release Date | Fri 05 Dec 2003 UTC |
| Director | Thomas McCarthy (as Tom Mccarthy) |
| Genres | Comedy, Drama |
| Plot | When his only friend dies, a man born with dwarfism moves to rural New Jersey to live a life of solitude, only to meet a chatty hot dog vendor and a woman dealing with her own personal loss. |
| Poster |  |
| Runtime | 89 |
| Tagline | Loneliness is much better when you have got someone to share it with (norway DVD release). |
| Writers | Thomas McCarthy (as Tom Mccarthy) (written by) |
| Year | 2003 |
