The Station Agent

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  September 21, 2009

  SirPant

  A brilliant and original little indie that not enough people have seen! Dinklage, Clarkson and Cannavale developed a really good chemistry together and all put in great performances. On the whole, a sweet and gentle gem of a film that needs more credit!

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  June 14, 2009

  flixsterman

  This is one of those gems that few have seen and hardly anyone ever talks about. I liked this film the first time I saw it, loved it the second time, and now, after three viewings, I'm thinking about asking it to marry me.

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  December 8, 2008

  EarthlyAlien

  Fin: "Well, there are people called train chasers. They follow a train and they film it.
  Olivia: Are you a train chaser?
  Fin: No.
  Olivia: How come?
  Fin: I don't know how to drive a car. And I don't own a camera.
  Olivia: That'd do it."
  
  ...( read more) href="http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w25/EarthlyAlien/?action=view¤t=NewJe1.jpg" target="_blank">
  
  One of the most beloved films in Sundance's 20-something years of existence, and certainly one of its greatest discoveries, The Station Agent is one of those completely unselfconscious indie gems that slip through cracks and won't likely see the light of day to the average person, which, let me tell you, is an enormous shame. This film has a gigantic heart. A delightfully whimsy and smart little comedy/drama - the kind of small-town flick that Hal Hartley used to do so well. The kind that makes you laugh and cry - often at the same time.
  
  The Station Agent tells the story of 4-foot-5-inch Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage). Fin is a train lover. He works in a shop, "The Golden Spike," catering to railway enthusiasts. When the owner, his best friend Harry, dies, Fin inherits a plot of land in Newfoundland, New Jersey with an abandoned train depot. He's a bit of a loner, so he settles down quite comfortably in the abandoned station out in the sticks in the middle of nowhere. There he meets the friendly and talky Joe (Bobby Cannavale), a Cuban vendor who operates out of a snack truck and who can't seem to spend a single moment in silence, constantly talking to anyone who will listen, even if they aren't really listening. While walking from his new home to the local grocery, Fin is nearly run down - twice - by Olivia (Patricia Clarkston), a clumsy and troubled artist with a lot of issues on her mind.
  
  Fin doesn't want friendship or involvement. He doesn't want their pity or interest. He wants nothing more than to be left alone to watch his trains. Of course, curiosity breaks down his defences. In time, Fin is talking with Joe, whose breakfast/lunch truck mysteriously parks itself each morning outside the station, even though it does not appear to be a hotspot of local commerce. Olivia tries to apologize for nearly running over Fin with her SUV and ends up collapsing for the night on his couch. Fin's silent manner, not to mention his stature, makes him the perfect listener. And we know he is listening, we know he cares. You can tell it in his eyes.
  
  These three souls have nothing visibly in common and, in the real world, they probably would never talk to each other. It's what they don't show that will bind them. Each in their own way is hiding, Joe behind a barrage of talk, Olivia by ignoring her husband's calls, and Fin by ignoring most anyone and immersing himself in trains. The Station Agent is, in the end, about how three different people come together and find some peace, I think. This is not a neat package, rather, a true one and is as engrossing and genuine as it might also be mundane. As you watch this film, you get this overwhelming feeling that you're watching something real, and that makes it even more special.
  
  Actor-turned-writer/director Thomas McCarthy has taken the bare bones approach and focused on characters. And he makes you care about his creations. Blessed with marvellous performances, particularly by the perfect Dinklage, McCarthy smartly allows the story to unfold naturally instead of forcing things. For example, there are no unrealistic romantic moments; things develop slowly like they would, perhaps, in the real world.
  
  Dinklage radiates charisma. He has a commanding presence and his subtleties as an actor are really great. Honestly, most likely he could relate to a majority of Fin's little nuances (being, I think this is the right term, a little person himself), which is what sells his performance. The chemistry between him, Cannavale, and Clarkson is what really moves the film forward and their moments together - doing nothing particularly special, like sharing a meal, watching a video or smoking a joint - are an absolute joy to watch. Cannavale is a delight. After what can be construed as a confrontation with Fin, Joe disappears from the film for twelve minutes. You can feel something is missing when he's not there, and when the two reconcile, there's no "I'm sorry, kiss and make up scene." There's just a car ride of silence - understood silence, which is one of the most realistic and treasured little moments the film has to offer.
  
  With Clarkson and Dinklage, McCarthy has cast two of the contemporary screen's great faces, and he films them accordingly. His cinematographer used grainy 16mm film to photograph The Station Agent, which results in a transparent, unfocused look that fits the film's gentle tone (in certain still, night-time moments, Clarkson actually looks as if she's been painted by Gerhard Richter). The film is gifted with not only strong performances from the principals, the supporting cast (including Raven Goodwin as Cleo, a schoolgirl Fin meets, and Michelle Williams as Emily, the cute librarian with a crush on Fin) all strike the right note with little gems of performances.
  
  The Station Agent is the kind of film I dream of making one day. That's the greatest compliment I can give it. It overcomes a premise that sounds a little mawkish and sentimental, and evokes genuine and well-earned emotion and laughter throughout its 88 deft, funny and fabulous minutes. This is at heart a character study, and all three leads are marvellous, creating intricate portraits of lonely people who grow and change because of the effect they have on one another. These characters feel like real people and they're left to bond in the warm silence of true friendship, while the dry New Jersey humour - with which Zach Braff made Garden State - drives the film along at a perfect pace that never drags for a single minute. In fact, you find yourself begging for it not to end.
  
  If you've ever had a really good friend of either sex, you'll understand how this film shows how the bonds of friendship truly know no bounds. It is colour blind, gender blind, and one doesn't need to be a specific height in order to ride it. A precious, precious little film.
  
  Fin: "I'm retired, actually.
  Emily: Aren't you a little young to be retired?
  Fin: No, dwarves retire early. Common fact.
  Emily: Yeah, *lazy* dwarves."

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  July 26, 2008

  her69eyes

  TLC'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 ...( read more)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.

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  June 11, 2008

  TheMachinist

  Great script and a great cast. The film itself is very beautiful inside and outside...

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  October 9, 2009

  ronansprake

  beautifully understated

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  September 18, 2009

  ElCochran90

  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 cute plot. So you know what to d...( read more)o next: go out and rent it now.
  
  83/100

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  August 21, 2009

  stevanlay

  Amongst all the recent Hollywood generics and clutter of movies, The Station Agent is one of those rare treats that you can take a liking to immediately. Not only is the film very observant but you also have three likable characters where you'd wished you were invited to one of t...( read more)heir walks or book readings. Though the movie is less subtle than Lost In Translation it is more brilliant in parts, IMO.

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  August 11, 2009

  qfwfq78

  Very enjoyable bittersweet comedy

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  August 4, 2009

  JediAlex

  A touching, subtle movie. I love how these three people develop such an unlikely friendship, but it turns out that they need each other more than they realize.

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