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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.
Meet Other Fans
Recent Reviews
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MCT:October 3, 2008
Love this movie. You get to see what it's like to be a dwarf. It's gotta be challenging. I think all of us that aren't "vertically challenged" take for granted that we can walk down the street without feeling out of place and left out. Great film
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MCT:September 29, 2008Watching the film I thought it was quite interesting to see the interactions between certain characters and it did make me chuckle a few times, but upon revisiting the film mentally. I felt that it was missing something that I can't quite put my finger on.
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MCT:September 15, 2008
after winning 23 awards and another 21 nominations this little indie film had very little play and is almost unheard of. Peter dinkage play a withdrawn loner of a rail enthusiest who inherits an old train station in another community. he is reluctantly drawn from his hermit like life by some locals who have problems of their own.
all in all a suprizingly enjoyable film
wyatte -
MCT:August 12, 2008Loved this movie! the story takes Finn through isolation - into friendship, through disappointment and finally out the other end where he's not afraid any more.
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MCT:July 26, 2008TLC's television series "Little People, Big World" has always gotten on my nerves. While it's intentions are not meant to be degrading whatsoever, I feel that it's almost exploiting the characters in the show. The whole purpose of the show seems to be telling people that "little people are just like any other people"... but for a mature reality show, does that really need to be rehashed? Is your average educated person going to mistake a dwarf for completely braindead? Of course not. I don't think it singles the family out any less than it would in any other case. It doesn't matter in what way you present your subjects - you're still presenting them as a "gimmick". That's all the TV show is. It's the reality show with little people.
"The Station Agent", however, does not utilize it's dwarf as a gimmick. In fact, this film could've been almost equally as powerful had it been an average sized man. The only reason Fin is a dwarf in "The Station Agent" is to make a point about how he's always center stage. He can't go to the bar without being singled out. Many troubled people can simply vanish into the walls, but everytime Fin wants to disappear he's always been stared at. His frustrations are made abundantly clear when he leaps on top of a bar and shouts "Here I am! Take a look!" Soon into the film you'll understand that "The Station Agent" is one of the few films to ever make it's character a dwarf, without presenting itself as "the film with the midget". It's incredibly mature and a refreshing breath of fresh air.
Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) is the hero of "The Station Agent". He is a train enthusiast, who at the beginning of the film is working at a train shop with his only friend in the world, Henry (Paul Benjamin). Shortly after we meet him, Henry drops dead and Fin is crushed. He inherits an abandoned train depot from Henry and decides to move in... to escape, to be alone. However, the residents aren't going to let him stay alone. One in particular, Joe (Bobby Cannavale), a Cuban hot dog stand owner, doesn't know the meaning of rejection. He's persistent and tries at every second to have a beer with Fin or go for a walk. Fin soon ends up meeting one of the two love interests in the film, Olivia Harris (Patricia Clarkson) after she almost hits him with her car... twice. The film is about an unlikely relationship with three extremely colorful characters. This plot may sound very familiar and typical, and sure, some elements are. But it's so much more than a formulaic piece. It's brilliant, maturely written, and deeply moving.
The cast in this film may be one of the most lovable casts in film history. Fin is a quiet man that always leaves you questioning what's really on his mind. However, when he opens up, he can be quite charming. Joe is the "lovable goof" of the film, but he's far much more than a sideshow comedy act. He shows compassion for Fin and never once judges him. He seems like nothing more than an idiot, but he's a caring and sweet man. We see throughout the film that he almost "looks after" Fin while his friends are making fun of his size. Not to mention the fact that he spends a lot of the day taking care of his sick father. And it won't be long before you fall in love with Olivia, who is a sweet yet haunted woman. The secondary characters are all wonderful as well - the librarian Emily (Michelle Williams) and Cleo (Raven Goodwin).
The relationship between Fin and Olivia is extraordinarily compelling. Olivia, who is grieving the death of her son, almost comes off as a motherly figure to Fin. There was a scene that almost gave me the creeps where Fin slept over at Olivia's house. There's a scene where he's in a spare bed, with his head rested on what is obviously a child's pillow. Olivia sat on the side of the bed and you almost waited for her to "tuck him in". We don't know if Olivia really loves him for who he is, or if she see's a bit of her son in him. Probably a bit of both. Needless to say, it's completely absorbing everytime the two characters are on screen.
This is such a mature and just absolutely delightful film. I loved just about every minute of this. Is it a perfect film? No, of course not. However, I can guarantee that you won't leave it unchanged. The characters are all interesting and the performances are just extraordinary. The script is quirky and well developed. It's a film that's very serious, but it does know when to have a good time. And the best part is that when it has it's fun - it's not at the expense of it's characters. You won't find many better comedies this decade. -
MCT:July 24, 2008
The Dink gives a great performance here. I like him more each time I see him. It's just nice to see a little person do more than just "be short".
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MCT:July 18, 2008
This was a good character driven comedy. Every character is this film can actually be reflected on people I know or some one anyone could meet.
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MCT:July 15, 2008
I really liked this movie! It is a slower-paced movie, but done quite well. About a man who inherits a train station and meets the, slightly odd, neighbors to his new inherited station. This movie was done very well and I would highly recommend it.
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MCT:June 29, 2008
Finally! A film that puts a little person in a lead role that isn't part of a wizard laden fantasy or freak show. Peter Dinklage is absolutely outstanding as the main character (Fin) who inherits an old, abandoned train station in rural New Jersey. Thinking he could live there in peaceful solitude and relative isolation he moves in and, reluctantly, forms a friendship with the local hotdog vender (Joe) and a beautiful but grief-stricken woman (Olivia). The Station Agent is one of those films that you HAVE to watch more than once. It's a story that, on the surface, seems simple but is deceptively layered and complex. I enjoy this movie more every time I pop it in the DVD player.
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MCT:June 22, 2008
There really is something to say about quieter movies. The lack of dialogue seems to only bring you in further to the main character's psyche. It is an amazing story with beautiful acting and directing. I wish more movies were like this. If you like it, watch Lars and the Real Girl.
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MCT:June 7, 2008
Perhaps the greatest American achievement in independent film-making I know. This film is so sweet, moving and charming! Excellent drama greatly contrasted with light humorous and very funny moments throughout, amazingly enjoyable characters and a cuuuute plot! So you know what to do next: go out and rent it now!
86/100 -
MCT:May 29, 2008
"The key to why The Station Agent just works is the simplicity of it. There are no car chases, no explosions, there's no travelling through dozens of different cities and countries. It's simple and subsequently effective, a concoction of elements that make for a sweet and charming little film."
Full Review Here -
MCT:May 28, 2008
This film needs to be seen if only for the character of Joe, but as a film it is absolutely beautiful.
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MCT:May 22, 2008
'The Station Agent' is a quiet, spirited film starring Peter Dinklage as Fin, a man who cannot escape some form of ridicule wherever he goes because he happens to be a dwarf. After his best friend dies, he inherits a disused station depot, and sees a chance to fulfill the life of a recluse - safe, solitary, undisturbed. From here the film is a breath of fresh cinematic air, as one by one various locals refuse to leave Fin be, and he is forced to re-evaluate his ideals as these once irritating strangers become the most precious of friends. Don't, however, expect soppy sentimentality or strong declarations of friendship here - the film is cleverer than that, and the director pays attention to awkward moments of truth to provide both humour and sadness around a fascinating gem of a story. Dinklage is superbly professional in the lead role, mere facial expressions revealing his feelings to others, and he is supported by a stellar cast including Michelle Williams, Bobby Cannavale and Raven Goodwin. Patricia Clarkson, however, steals the show as clumsy, erratic, good-hearted Olivia, whom Fin does not so much love as admire. The theme of trains is more important than we initially observe, because it is Fin's love for them what bring all these characters together, in one way or another. Despite moving so willingly through all the conventions of an original Indie film, you can't help but adore 'The Station Agent', and it's wonderful array of colourful characters, none of whom are perfect, but nor do you want them to be. The film is touching, charming and poignant in a light-hearted amusing fashion, with an eccentric, witty script suffused with a deep, melancholy pathos, that is only absolved through the strong bonds of platonic friendship we realise should be valued more than, well anything, perhaps.
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MCT:May 21, 2008
bobby cannavale (the guy off of third watch.. the great u.s. tv series) is in it with patricia clarkson and peter dinklage who is a dwarf... and funnily enough plays one. the one he plays is an angry keep to himself type of dwarf who's been mocked for his height throughout his life. mainly it's a story about him dealing with the prejudice but also it's a story of friendship via labour. well acted by the whole cast throughout. instant winner!
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MCT:May 12, 2008
made me want to swing my legs to & fro. a film about - platonic - friendship: something Hollywood seems strangely wary of.
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MCT:April 27, 2008I'm fascinated with trains so I also think a station house would be a cool place to live if you fixed it up.
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MCT:April 27, 2008
A dwarf with few social skills inherits a train station house after his only friend dies. He moves there hoping for solitude but doesn't get it. From day one, people come knocking and this man gets no peace. It's interesting because you get a glimpse into the life of a little person and some of the ridicule they go through. Although slow paced, it was charming to see the friendships develop. I just thought the movie was too short (no pun intended).
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MCT:March 30, 2008
A really beautiful and unusual film about the development of a friendship bewtween three very unusual people.
The performances from the cast are all fantastic, but, Bobby Cannavale stole my heart as Joe, so lovable and full of energy, he was like a big kid.
Definatly a recommedation for any movie fan. -
MCT:March 2, 2008
Stuck in a small town and unhappy with their "station's" in life, three very different people become friends.
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MCT:February 18, 2008
A brilliant film that doesn't really go anywhere plot-wise but is still a real joy to watch. The cast is amazing - Peter Dinklage and Patricia Clarkson are at their usual best and the very underrated Bobby Cannavale holds his own as the lovable coffee stand manager. The movie moves effortlessly from very funny and heartwarming to poignant and bittersweet - neatly side-stepping schmaltz or ridiculous sentimentality along the way. Understated and beautiful - a must for most movie fans.
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MCT:February 14, 2008
All around well done, but the plot is sort of random and undeveloped at times. Make no mistake about it, this is not a comedy. I definitely chuckled a few times, but that's it. This is mainly a drama. If the plot summary interests you, see it.
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MCT:February 10, 2008
One of those movies I can easily watch one a month or so. A golden reminder of what friends mean to you and how it feels to be alive.
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MCT:January 24, 2008
JOE: It's the librarian fantasy, man. Glasses off, hair down, books flying.
FINBAR: She doesn't wear glasses.
OLIVIA: Well, buy her some, it's worth it.
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