'The Station Agent', written and directed by Tom McCarthy, is the story of a model train store worker, Fin (Peter Dinklage) who discovers after his friend and employer dies that he has left him a broken down and abandoned train station in the small town of Newfoundland, New Jersey. Being a loner, Fin jumps at the opportunity to go someplace new and quiet, so he decides to live in the station. Soon after arriving, he meets Joe (Bobby Cannavale) who runs a hot dog and coffee truck for his dad in front of the station, as well as meeting a distracted woman, Olivia (Patricia Clarkson) an artist who is mourning the death of her son. The three eventually end up striking up an unusual friendship, while dealing with their own personal issues.
The New York Times described 'The Station Agent' as 'hilarious' and 'appetizing', and while I agree that it is a good film, I certainly wouldn't describe it as 'hilarious'. I may have chuckled a few times, but I found the film to be more of a drama by far than a comedy. The absolute breakout star of the film is Dinklage, who is incredibly engaging, charismatic and talented. His performance completely drew me in, and made what could have just been a mediocre film into a good one. The concept of having a dwarf as the leading man in a film that doesn't adhere to vicious stereotypes is obviously an original one, and it really worked out well in this case.
'The Station Agent' is a quiet little film that was unusual enough to make up for a fairly basic plot. Clarkson is always great in everything she does, but Dinklage is the one to watch in this film; he is absolutely fantastic. 7/10
--Shelly
The New York Times described 'The Station Agent' as 'hilarious' and 'appetizing', and while I agree that it is a good film, I certainly wouldn't describe it as 'hilarious'. I may have chuckled a few times, but I found the film to be more of a drama by far than a comedy. The absolute breakout star of the film is Dinklage, who is incredibly engaging, charismatic and talented. His performance completely drew me in, and made what could have just been a mediocre film into a good one. The concept of having a dwarf as the leading man in a film that doesn't adhere to vicious stereotypes is obviously an original one, and it really worked out well in this case.
'The Station Agent' is a quiet little film that was unusual enough to make up for a fairly basic plot. Clarkson is always great in everything she does, but Dinklage is the one to watch in this film; he is absolutely fantastic. 7/10
--Shelly