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The Station Agent on DVD (2003)

The Station Agent cover art
Average rating: 76%
111126920610
3.5
from 2,149 members
 
Starring: Patricia Clarkson, Michelle Williams, Peter Dinklage, Paul Benjamin, Jase Blankfort, Paula Garces, Josh Pais, Richard Kind
Director: Thomas McCarthy
Studio: BUENA VISTA HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 86 mins
Certificate: 15
User collections: Most Surprising Films, There is more to cinema than Hollywood!, My fave flicks, Films you may not have heard of but MUST see, Watch these or else., Top 20 films, Reccomendations, Some of my favourite films, Great films featuring midgets and dwarfs (or small people!), Some you know, some you don't
Genres: Comedy
Languages: English
Released: 01/05/2007

Brief synopsis of The Station Agent

When his friend and co-worker suddenly dies, train enthusiast Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) inherits an abandoned railway station in rural New Jersey. A dwarf who avoids social contact whenever possible, Fin treks out to the property and moves in. However, his newly isolated life is disrupted by the arrival of the well meaning Joe and Olivia. Joe (Bobby Cannavale), is an outgoing operator of a roadside refreshment stand, and Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), is a reclusive artist who is grieving the loss of her son. As Joe and Olivia slowly bring Fin out of his shell, all three people are affected by their newfound friendships.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

Rarely has cinema come up with a lead character with so many social handicaps as Finbar McBride, played here by Peter Dinklage. He seems to have no emotions, he is a dwarf, and his hobbies are model railways and trainspotting. Finbar works in a model shop and when the owner dies, he inherits a disused rural railway station in New Jersey. He shuns attention, but finds himself befriended by Joe (Bobby Cannavale), a gregarious young Cuban who runs his father's fast-food van, and Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), a local artist grieving for a dead son and a dead marriage. A ragbag collection of misfits and losers, they end up sitting, talking and trainspotting together. And that's about it. But the script strikes such a fine balance between comedy and the pain of living, and the characters are so beautifully observed, never demanding sympathy or even interest, that The Station Agent proves a strangely original and seductive experience.

The Sun

"Delightful... Warm, funny and poignant. The performances are excellent and Peter Dinklage steals the show..." (Johnny Vaughan)

Time Out

A gentle meander through heart-thawing country, debut writer/director McCarthy's Sundance hit flexes an easygoing... Read more on www.timeout.com

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 starsDelightful!

A customer from Stowmarket, England , 09/04/2004

I stumbled on this film by chance at the cinema when there was nothing else on that I fancied watching. I was most pleasantly surprised by this delightful film. The characters are are wonderful, and really draw you into their lives and feelings. Its funny and quirky, sad in places and heart-warming in others. A real American independant treat. Enjoy! And if you like this try 'Straight Story'.

  33 out of 39 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsA Beautiful & Moving Film!

ricke17 from London , 04/12/2004

I rented this film as I had missed it at the cinema earleir in the year. I fell in love with the movie after only watching it for a few minutes.

Well written and moving - I loved the film so much I bought it on DVD and have watched and re-watched it many times. My emotions followed that of the characters: loss, sadness and laughter.

I thoroughly recommend this film.

If there is only one film you see this year - it has to be this one!

  20 out of 21 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsA wonderful piece of cinematography

miriam from bucks , 18/01/2005

A slow-paced gem of a film, that really explores the characters and the relationships between them. The framing of the images is superb, and allows the viewer to consider "what is normal?" and revel in beautiful scenery, gentle plot and marvellously crafted three dimensional people.

Don't expect high-action, suspense or special effects. Sit back and enjoy this tender portrait of humanity like a fine wine.

  15 out of 16 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsThe return of the US indie

PaulSE10 from London , 09/10/2004

Those, like me, who love the late 80's/early 90's films of directors like Hal Hartley will be delighted by this low-key gem of a film.

It's a simple story of people meeting and forging friendships only to find sadness and disappointment, but also reconciliation within these relationships. The implicit melancholy of the film does not mean that it is depressing, far from it, the characters are too real and the film too warm hearted to be a downer.

Delightful performances, strong characterisation and a pervasive sense of humanity make this something of a treat.

  14 out of 15 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 4 starsGentle and heartwarming

maxwurr from Middlesex [Highly rated reviewer] , 27/02/2006

Low-budget and high quality, this gem is a triumphant study of an unlikely trio of oddballs. Peter Dinklage undeniably steals the show, an achievement all the more remarkable for the lack of three-dimensionsal roles for 'the smaller actor', but the supporting cast do admirably well, nicely balancing laughs with personal sadness/inadequacy/tragedy to varying degrees. The young actress that plays Cleo also deserves a special mention. All in all, this is a charming, tender and understated piece that should not fail to touch anyone with an ounce of humanity.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsA worthwhile film I'd never heard of

Andybe from Richmond [Highly rated reviewer] , 18/09/2006

I don't remember why I put this in my queue, but I'm glad I did.

Three people retreat to rural New Jersey - an outgoing "regular guy" forced by circumstance, a dwarf escaping the taunts of society, and a woman running away from the memory of her lost son. Joe knows he needs others to stay sane, Fin doesn't think he needs anyone, and Olivia wants only the one thing she can't have.

You might as well name the characters Gregarious, Sulking and Mourning. Mixing them together is a lot more fun than it sounds. The body language speaks volumes, even if the characters don't.

Deliberate in it's pace, ‘The Station Agent’ has a good screenplay carried off perfectly by a very good cast. It will have you chuckling throughout, sometimes when you shouldn't be.

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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