There are some films that should have been made years ago; films which at their core feel deeply genuine in their observations and are deeply touching in their emotional depth and the humour that lightens them. Where fully rounded performances make us understand something important. In the ... Read review
Miramax Home Entertainment presents the critically acclaimed THE STATION AGENT, winner of ... more
numerous awards including the Audience Award for Best Drama at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. Fin McBride (Peter Dinklage), a loner with a passion for trains, i...
Fin McBride (Dinklage) a loner with a passion for trains inherits an abandoned train ... more
station in the middle of nowhere - a place that suits him just fine because all he wants is to be alone. Soon after moving in he discovers his isolated depot is mor...
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Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Advantages: A truly wonderful film that is heart-warming whilst having real depth and humour Disadvantages: Peter Dinklage hasn't had nearly enough work come his way for such a good actor
...in their emotional depth and the humour that lightens them. Where fully rounded performances make us understand something important. In the case of The Station Agent it is that even if people don't think they need friendships, they really do.
Fin McBride (Peter Dinklage) works in his only friend's model train shop in Manhattan. The two share silences as Fin tends to the models and Henry Style's to the shop front. One day his friend ... ..."the right of way" (walking the railway tracks) to his new found home where he hopes to pursue his interest in trains. There he wishes to live his life in solitude, but is forcibly befriended by the lonely and extroverted Joe Oramas (Bobby Cannavale) who runs a hot-dog van from the area outside the Station Depot. Despite his best wishes Bobby has been unable to make friends with the reclusive painter, Olivia Harris (Patricia Clarkson). ... more
There are some films that should have been made years ago; films which at their core feel deeply genuine in their observations and are deeply touching in their emotional depth and the humour that lightens them. Where fully rounded performances make us understand something important. In the case of The Station Agent it is that even if people don't think they need friendships, they really do.
Fin McBride (Peter Dinklage) works in his only friend's model train shop in Manhattan. The two share silences as Fin tends to the models and Henry Style's to the shop front. One day his friend literally drops dead and Fin inherits an old Station Depot in Newfoundland, New Jersey. In all honesty, it is easy to see why Manhattan holds nothing for Fin. So Fin walks "the right of way" (walking the railway tracks) to his new found home where he hopes to pursue his interest in trains. There he wishes to live his life in solitude, but is forcibly befriended by the lonely and extroverted Joe Oramas (Bobby Cannavale) who runs a hot-dog van from the area outside the Station Depot. Despite his best wishes Bobby has been unable to make friends with the reclusive painter, Olivia Harris (Patricia Clarkson). It is only when Olivia's driving forces her to interact with Fin that Joe pushes all three towards what they really need.
Peter Dinklage's central performance forms the lynch-pin on which the whole film hinges and is perfectly judged. Fittingly - and unwillingly - he assumes the role of the Station Agent. Traditionally the agent who ran the Depot performed a number of integral functions for his community, and in the same way Fin ends up becoming the hub of his little community offering more than he had bargained for.
It is a shame that more work has not come Dinklage's way, because this actor has a screen presence that manages to powerfully hold the camera for long stretches without interruption. Unfortunately it is obvious why this is the case. It almost seems wrong to draw attention to the reason why in quite the same way as other film reviewers have; as I feel like I run the danger of belittling what is a purely wonderful screen performance. But at the same time Dinklage being a dwarf, and therefore Fin, is integral to the film. As we see the majority of the film from Fin's eyes we see the ridiculous insults, thoughtlessness and strange perceptions that people have of who he is - far from being depressing as some might think, this often causes a great deal of humour at the narrow-minded person's expense. Making it easy to see why Fin would guard himself against the world. It is Dinklage's skill in showing just the right amount of emotion as those walls are broken down that really makes his performance exceptional.
Fin also doesn't feel too like an over-glamorised figure. In his own words he is quite a boring man. After all, just think about the way people use the terms "train-spotter" and train "enthusiast". I almost wonder if a little of Fin's 'boring' characteristics have a little to do with wanting to fade into the background.
A great deal of the depth of Fin's character has to be attributed to Thomas McCarthey whose makes his screenwriting and directorial debut with this film. Apparently Fin was never written as a dwarf, but as a friend of Dinklage, McCarthey decided he wanted him to play the part. At that point Dinklage had to be incorporated into the script. A great deal of which was work-shopped with the actors - for me this explains a great deal. Obviously all the actors must have had a great deal of creative input into the film which can only have made their performances more detailed and the script feel more genuine. Personally I wonder if some of this has to do with his background as an actor and I imagine it must have been a very empowering experience to be involved creatively to this extent; which can only have added to the performances.
Bobby Cannavale as Joe Orasmus acts as a real catalyst throughout the film, and creates a great deal of humour. Joe is a bit like a bull in a china shop, eagerly pushing friendships when it is obvious that others would rather he left them in peace. In this case it is a boyish character trait that still manages to sit with a character who is quite lonely after being drawn back to look after the family business. Joe is the sort of character who really makes you smile. His refreshingly brutal questions that he directs at Fin never seem rude or unpleasant - he really is just asking Fin questions without trying to insult him by being overly politically correct. Although it doesn't stop these moments occasionally evoking embarrassed laughter...
Yet again Patricia Clarkson plays a delightfully oddball character. Although it does make me wonder whether she is beginning to type cast herself in these sort of roles. (It reminds me a little of her character, Aunt Sarah, in Six Feet Under, just with a little more deliberate reserve). Luckily it never seems like she is on autopilot. Instead her gradual inclusion within the trio seems incredibly genuine and touching.
For anyone considering seeing this excellent film, there is one thing that should immediately be pointed out. This is a wonderful film, but it is also a slow one. In the context of the film it seemed perfect to me. The long shots that linger on Fin's face or the quietness as the trio walk the right of way - a term that feels very fitting for those scenes - give a chance to reflect on the characters and try and work out a little more about them.
Thomas McCarthay and his film have deservedly picked up a number of awards and nominations, the most notable being the Best Drama Audience Award and Best Screenplay awards at the Sundance Film Festival. The Station Agent is a simply wonderful film, and is one that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys sedately paced, lightly-comic, character-focused pieces that treat the audience intelligently. Although the ending might be perceived by some as being a little abrupt, it is really a beginning for these people. I find it incredibly refreshing to find myself thinking about where these characters might go and what they might do, rather than being force-fed a two dimensional ending.
The Station Agent is an extraordinary film for a number of reasons. The first is that it is stunningly simple in story and script and yet intriguingly complex in theme and emotional resonance. The second is that it has a strong social conscience without a hint of condescension. The third is that it is funny, touching, sweet, lyrical and beautifully paced, which is sadly not something we see every day. This tiny crystalline gem of a movie took the ... ...reason to praise it to the skies.
The Film Stuff:
Finbar McBride - PETER DINKLAGE
Olivia Harris - PATRICIA CLARKSON
Joe Oramas - BOBBY CANNAVALE
Cleo - RAVEN GOODWIN
Emily - MICHELLE WILLIAMS
Written and Directed by THOMAS McCARTHY in his directorial debut.
88 mins
Certificate 15
Fin lives a deliberately unassuming life, worn down with the constant stares and comments he attracts as a 4 and a half foot dwarf. He has a passion for trains, ...
ruth_cole 11.04.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Station Agent (DVD)
Advantages: Great acting; good feel to the film Disadvantages: It's "depot", not "deeeeepoh"
...Why, and what do the film-makers think of that? Let's find out.
(Although for obvious reasons the second half of that question is impossible to answer.)
The Station Agent is one of those films that emerge from America every now and again - with the production values that suggest it's not a budget indie, and with the artistry and sensibility that Hollywood can never match. People still respond to such films with much delight and surprise, and when ... ...right to do so.
The Prof, as Finbar McBride is known, works at a very quiet little model railway shop. Custom is slow, but on track. However his aging black colleague/boss derails things by collapsing dead on the store floor.
This causes that dumbass, wide-mouthed one from Spin City to have a cameo as a solicitor, who explains the shop has six weeks left before liquidation, and that Fin has inherited a station depot in the middle of nowhere. Fin ...
theediscerning 05.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Station Agent (DVD)
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 ... ...off to Newfoundland lured by the promise of Henry's lawyer that Newfoundland is dead where nothing at all goes on. Fin's dream of an isolated life is soon bought to a halt when he makes the acquaintance of Joe, Olivia, Cleo and Emily.
The Station Agent is one of those movies that is like a mirror to real life, for the average person life is essentially dull with the odd highlights. It's those highlights, often unexpected that are the essence of ...
sghawken 08.06.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Station Agent (DVD)
...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
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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 ... ...new-found acquaintances but before long the barriers start to drop.
The tagline of the film 'Loneliness is much better when you have got someone to share it with' gives a pretty good idea of the nature of the film - a range of personal journeys that are an absolute joy to watch.
The main characters
-----------------------------
Finbar McBride
Born with dwarfism, Fin has lived a lonely life and moves to rural New Jersey to escape from the finger-pointing ...
kpbunches 27.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Station Agent (DVD)
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 ... ...and the big box-office “Meet the Parents” as an actor. As with most first-time directors he has started off with personal indie film. And if this is the sort of thing he comes up with when he’s allowed to play on his own, then more power to his elbow. He has fashioned a truly moving paean to the importance of friendship in shaping who we are. As screenwriter, he has created a series of sympathetic characters that induce pathos rather than pity and ...
afy9mab 06.05.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Station Agent (DVD)
When his friend and co-worker suddenly dies, train enthusiast Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) inherits an abandoned railway station in rural New Jersey. A dwarf who avoids social contact whenever possible, Fin treks out to the property and moves in. However, his newly isolated life is disrupted by the arrival of the well meaning Joe and Olivia. Joe (Bobby Cannavale), is an outgoing operator of a roadside refreshment stand, and Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), is a reclusive artist who is grieving the loss of her son. As Joe and Olivia slowly bring Fin out of his shell, all three people are affected by their newfound friendships. Written and directed by Thomas McCarthy, The Station Agent easily joins the ranks of other quirky rural dramas such as 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' and 'The Straight Story'.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINM; ELEVATION SALES; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Release date
13/09/2004
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
BED 881293
Barcode
5017188812931
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround English
Award information
BAFTA
Best Screenplay (Original) 2003 (Thomas McCarthy)
Professional reviews
Review
"...tenderly acted, looks a treat and very funny indeed..." (The Independent on Sunday, )
"Delightful... Warm, funny and poignant. The performances are excellent and Peter Dinklage steals the show..." (Johnny Vaughan) (The Sun, )
DVD Description
When his employer suddenly dies, toy shop assistant and train enthusiast Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) inherits an abandoned railway station in rural New Jersey. A dwarf who tends to avoid social contact whenever possible, Fin treks out to the property and moves in. However, his new isolated, quiet life is disrupted by Joe (Bobby Cannavale), the young, talkative vendor of a nearby roadside refreshment stand, and Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), a reclusive artist who is grieving the loss of her son. As Joe and Olivia slowly bring Fin out of his shell, all three people are affected by their newfound friendships. Written and directed by Thomas McCarthy, THE STATION AGENT wonderfully mixes drama and comedy in a beautiful countryside setting. Although the storyline acknowledges that the main character is a dwarf and refers to this on numerous occasions, there is much more to the character of Fin McBride than his short stature. As Fin, Dinklage gives an outstandingly nuanced performance, one that is perfectly complemented by Cannavale's happy-go-lucky Joe and Clarkson's mourning Olivia. The movie also features excellent supporting turns by Michelle Williams and Raven Goodwin. Touching but never sappy, THE STATION AGENT is a charming film that easily joins the ranks of other quirky rural dramas such as THE STRAIGHT STORY, it's an absolute joy.
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