The Station Agent (DVD) > Reviews

Advantages: Charming friendship movie
Disadvantages: None

Released in the UK in 2004 The Station Agent met worldwide with much acclaim, but talk to someone about it and it's a strange movie that seemingly has little purpose, everyone seems to love it but nobody really knows why. Finbar Mcbride (Peter Dinklage) is a midget; his life is spent painting and repairing model train carriages in his friends Henry's shop. His height causes ongoing problems abused daily by kids, and stared at by passersby. When ... Read review

Advantages: Faultless
Disadvantages: See above

...has to be one of the finest films I've seen. Ever. Thanks to BBC 2 for showing it! A quick precis of the story ---------------------------------- Soon after we meet him, the main character, Finbar inherits a property in a small rural town - it's an old station house right next to the railway tracks. As a complete train-buff, Fin moves to his new place to wallow in the quiet life with just the trains and himself for company ... until he encounters ... Read review

Advantages: Beautifully crafted film with excellent performances
Disadvantages: It wasn't on general release for long enough

...to cut himself off from the name-calling and ridicule he is subjected to on a daily basis. There’s just one problem. After moving to Newfoundland he can’t help but draw people to him; whether it is the ebullient but lonely Joe who runs the coffee stand outside the depot, recently divorced and bereaved artist Olivia or similarly train-obsessed schoolgirl Cleo. There’s just something about him… It seems strange that this film is directed by Thomas ... Read review

Advantages: Endearing story
Disadvantages: Not plot driven; a slow burn

As the solicitor dealing with his boss's estate says, "It's pretty remote. There's nothing there. Nothing.". This is what persuades Fin McBride to move to Newfoundland, in New Jersey, having just inherited an old railway depot there. Fin, played by Peter Dinklage, is an avid train spotter who prefers his own company to that of others, and when his boss Henry, another train enthusiast who owns The Golden Spike train shop in Hoboken, New Jersey dies ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting story and fun characters
Disadvantages: Poor sound and film quality (at times)

...a model railway shop all the more satisfying for Fin as he is able to ignore the outside world and focus on his passion with like-minded friends and enthusiasts. This was until his boss received a call from the big signal-box in the sky and left Fin with no work, no roof over his head and most distressingly alone. You see Fin McBride is a dwarf (his words not mine) and his introverted world allows him to escape from the cowardice and abuse that ... Read review

Advantages: Some of the characters, it might make you think, it gets more interesting near the end
Disadvantages: The start of the movie, the story just isn't quite clear enough IMO, the main character

...is very slow paced, once the death of Fins friend occurs and he travels to the depot, the plot seems to slow down alot, though the introduction of the two other characters helps it along but it seemed to be without real direction during what I'd say is the middle of the movie. I didn't feel all that interested in the main character either, which didn't help, yes he's somewhat of a recluse and we should feel sorry for him I suppose, which I did to ... Read review

Advantages: Films for the intellectual...
Disadvantages: Random friendships and quirky significances

...which becomes his home and the unlikely setting for a deceptively simple tale of characters caught at an uncertain junction in their lives where the one thing that gives them meaning and fulfilment is the surprise of each other's friendship. This film is so brilliant because it is so random. A little man in an old shack and a full-of-himself refreshment stand attendant start up an unlikely friendship. Why the stall is outside a disused railway ... Read review

Advantages: Good characters, an excellent cast
Disadvantages: On the slow side, not much action or even plot

...McCarthy has given us "Meet the Parents" and "The Guru" - both enjoyable movies, but his "Station Agent" is a notch up on the two of them. It's more of an offbeat movie, along the lines of something like "Palookaville" or "American Splendor" - it's an affectionate portrayal of the weirder, and hence more interesting, characters. At the same time, they are quite real, and believable (unlike in "Meet the parents or "The Guru", where we were presented ... Read review

This film shows the viewer how society has affected Finbar McBride, a dwarf. He wants to be left alone. But a persistent coffee seller and divorcee provide a number of funny moments as they try to become his friends. Well worth watching.