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Finbar McBride has one abiding passion – trains. So when his boss and friend dies, leaving him an abandoned train depot in rural New Jersey, Finbar sees it as an opportunity for a fresh start. You see Finbar is a dwarf who wants 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 McCarthy, a man who appeared in the gossamer-light “The Guru” 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 as a director he has brought together a talented cast who breathe life into those characters with remarkable aplomb. Most importantly he has created a group that we as an audience can invest in emotionally. They are so real that one cannot help but care about them and what happens to them. And even if nothing huge happens to the people in the film, we are more than content to sit back and watch them get on with their lives.
Peter Dinklage has had something of a limited career, having previously only appeared on film in last year’s “Elf”. On the basis of his performance here, that is a crying shame. He displays a talent and presence that is sadly lacking in many big screen stars of today. And he has the square jaw many an action hero yearns for. He is by turns enigmatic, sympathetic and utterly endearing and has a nice line in dry humour. All he needs is a decent run of roles and he could have a hell of a career ahead of him. If casting directors could forget how tall he is, he could be the next big thing (no pun intended).
Patricia Clarkson is one of those actresses who may have been around for ages but only seems to have come to the fore in the past couple of years. She was Oscar nominated for her turn in “Pieces of April” and if her performance there was anything like the one in this film, she was robbed. She plays a corker, managing to be both hilarious (when she nearly runs Fin over twice in one day) and heartbreaking (when her past rears its head and nearly sends her over the edge). Meryl Streep could have a serious contender for a lot of the roles she is offered.
Bobby Cannavale manages to make a potentially irritating character incredibly likeable. When we first see Joe Oramas, he comes across as good-natured but ultimately irritating. Just as Fin does, we as audience members attempt to ignore his loudmouthed persona. But he grows as a character, becoming more sympathetic and it is almost impossible not to like his garrulousness and be infected by his enthusiasm for everything. He’s like a puppy that follows you home and you just have to keep because he’s so adorable, if noisy.
Raven Goodwin makes her screen debut as the locomotive-obsessed schoolgirl Cleo, who is the first among the inhabitants of Newfoundland to try to befriend Finbar. It is a very strong performance for such a young actress, which manages to convey the fascination and awe she feels for Finbar, as well as her character’s love of trains.
Michelle Williams surprises as the vulnerable but sensual librarian Emily, who is attracted to Fin. She proves that she has a far greater range than her character in “Dawson’s Creek” would ever have led us to believe. Her relationship with Fin is tentative, sweet and charming. It helps that it along with everything else in the film is underplayed. That is where this film excels – it allows the characters and their relationships to develop organically. The visual style is simple, seeking only to underline rather than embellish the narrative where silence is as important as the dialogue.
All in all, this is a tremendously likeable film that will appeal to you if you enjoy sensitive, touching treatments of humanity and gentle, philosophical musings on the nature of friendship. If you liked “Lost in translation” you’ll love this. If on the other hand, your idea of a good film is lots of action, adventure and bang for your buck this is one you’d probably prefer to miss.
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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...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
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
IzzyS 26.04.2009 (26.04.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Station Agent (DVD)
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
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
IzzyS 26.04.2009 (26.04.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Station Agent (DVD)
![The Station Agent [DVD] [2004]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78503010.jpg "The Station Agent [DVD] [2004]")
May 6th, 2004
very helpful by (100%):
