The Station Agent Review

"THE STATION AGENT" reviews

Movie

THE STATION AGENT

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-10-27 22:16:48

Provider

Review

Everything about this gem of an indie flick is little - from it's budget to it's main star - but by the end you may well have realised that size really isn't that important.

Fin (Peter Dinklage) is a dwarf who has one obsession in his life - trains. His height has caused Fin to back away a bit from normal society though but he seems happy enough working in his best friend's model train shop. But when said friend drops dead, Fin suddenly finds himself the new owner of a disused train depot (as bequeathed to him) in a small New Jersey town. Now while this seems like the ideal chance for Fin to get away from people, he soon finds that the locals just won't leave him alone, especially food cart owner Joe (Bobby Cannavale) and grieving divorcee Olivia (Patricia Clarkson).

In Peter Dinklage, writer / director Thomas McCarthy may well have found a huge star in the making. Sure he's appeared in other movies but The Station Agent really makes the most of his confidence and natural ability. For Dinklage his size is more of an advantage than a disadvantage and attitude allows his raw talent to shine in this film.

Fortunately he's joined here by some more than capable actors in Cannavale and Clarkson, as well as Dawson's Creek star Michelle Williams, but it's the subtlety and depth of McCarthy's script which is the undeniable foundation for their sterling work.

Instead of turning his characters into small town stereotypes, McCarthy gives them very specific traits and and flaws and it's fascinating to watch them slowly open up to the attentions of others. Issues of prejudice, loneliness and loss are all prevalent and are dealt with delicately but McCarthy never lets his production condescend or preach.

A charming and understated offering, The Station Agent is certainly one to catch.