There are times when you wish that a director has more movies to his name and for me Thomas McCarthy is one of them. In his career he only directed three movies, Win Win (2011), The Visitor (2007) and this movie, The Station Agent. They are all excellent movies about relationships. All his movies have a soul to them, a realistic depiction of life and how people interact. The Station Agent had been on my “to watch” list for a while after another blogger reviewed it.
Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) has been working at a miniature trainstore for ages. He is crazy about trains and meets up with other people who share the same passion. When the boss of the store dies though the shop has to be closed down and he is lost. In his will his boss has left him something in New Jersey and he decides to head there to check it out. Because of how he looks a lot of people always make fun of him and he therefore doesn’t easily talk to others, but as he meets a very talkative Joe (Bobby Cannavale), who sells coffee and hotdogs outside the place he is staying it seems he no longer can keep that up. When he also runs into Olivia (Patricia Clarkson) he has to face his fears and come out of his protective shell.
It is set in one of those summers you always will look back to fondly and the movie also reminded me a bit of Stand By Me, even though the subject matter is completely different (I guess it is because of the time of year and the traintracks). The Station Agent probably isn’t a high budget movie, but in this case it does not matter. This is a depiction of the life of one man and the people he meets, their relationships, their issues and how they all influence each other. A mix of drama and light comedy which I am sure you will be able to enjoy. I hope that Thomas McCarthy’s next movie will come soon.
I’m so glad you like this movie. I have to pull my hipster card and talk about how I originally saw this upon its release, and was immediately in love with Peter Dinklage. I never thought someone so small could keep up with so many talented actors (even surpassing them at moments), and he does it so damn well. So when the Game of Thrones show was coming into production, I was like DINKLAGE for TYRION! Of course it happened, and he went off. But I always look back at this beautiful little movie as to the start of it all.
I never heard of it till last year I think and happy to have seen it. He is a great actor. Have not seen Game of Thrones but hope to come around to it in the future 🙂
I watched this movie several times because I love it so much. The last time I did was with a New Yorker who protested on two accounts: the fact that all the women in the movie were falling for Fin and that Joe is totally not acting like a true New Yorker would.
I loved it, all the same. And a New Yorker who is nice is a good thing, right?
I completely understand why Fumi, it is such a nice movie 🙂
I guess that is the case. I never went to New York…
Come to think of it, I remember seeing the trailer for “Win, Win.” It hasn’t come out here (I live in Cancun) but Paul Giamatti is a sure sell for me. Love him!
Nice one Nostra. Like you, I wish McCarthy would make more as well. All three of his movies are brilliant little character studies. I love that quaint feel he brings to his film’s and The Station Agent is probably my favourites from the three.
I would have a hard time picking between The Visitor and this one. They are very different though in their tone (Visitor is more serious with higher stakes). Both great though!
Haven’t even heard about it but you definitely managed to peek my interest towards this one.. Putting it to my list of movies I’ll most likely never finish watching as I keep adding movies. 😀
Nice to hear that Mettel. I have one of those ever growing lists as well…nice to be able pick one though if you are looking for a new one to check out!
I saw this the other day and I liked it. Great acting and chemistry between the characters. Good review!
Happy to hear you feel the same Shawna…very cool movie.
When Clarkson almost runs him over with her car made me laugh out loud 🙂 I’m curious how this indie movie would hold up on rewatch, been a while since I first saw it.
I agree it depicts one of those summers you always will look back to fondly.
🙂 I think it will hold up greatly!
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