The Station Agent (2003) - This is my favorite kind of movie. The "little" movie. The movie that no one ever saw unless it showed up on late night HBO or Cinemax. The movie that is recommended to you by a friend with a "You have to see this one".
This is one of those movies.
Finbar McBride(Peter Dinklage) is a man who loves trains. He was also born with a medical condition that made him a dwarf. Finn works with his best friend Henry who owns the local model train store. When Henry dies suddenly Finn discovers he has inherited a small train depot in central New Jersey. As much as Finn wants to be alone some of the locals keep turning up in his life. Joe (Bobby Canavale), who runs his father's food truck while his dad recovers from and illness and Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), an attractive woman trying to recover from the death of her son (Finn meets when she nearly runs him over, twice). The three of them find the solution to their loneliness in one another.
I look at that description and I'm amazed at how slim it is. Trust me when I tell you that this movie is so much more than a quick summary of the plot. This is a story about character. Curiously it is NOT a story about dwarfism. At the same time it very subtly addresses the issue. Written and directed by Thomas McCarthy this is an astounding piece of work. Even more astounding that it's only 89 minutes long. But the real gold in this movie is Peter Dinklage. His performance is astounding and earned him a Golden Globe. Fans of "Game of Thrones" will recognize him as Tyrion Lannister, a role for which he won an Emmy. Dinklage is absolutely incredible. He is an actor with a role, not a little person in a movie. And that's absolutely wonderful.
As is the movie.
You've really got to see this one.
Rating - **** Recommended
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