Like the best sort of short story, The Station Agent captures lives in fleeting, but telling, moments.
The Station Agent (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:145
Fresh:138
Rotten:7
Average Rating:8/10
Consensus: A sweet and quirky film about a dwarf, a refreshment stand operator, and a reclusive artist connecting with one another.
Theatrical Release:Oct 3, 2003 Limited
Box Office: $5,502,491
Synopsis: When his friend and coworker suddenly dies, train enthusiast Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage) inherits an abandoned railway station in rural New Jersey. A dwarf who avoids social contact whenever... When his friend and coworker 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 Joe (Bobby Cannavale), the outgoing operator of a roadside refreshment stand, and Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), 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. Written and directed by Thomas McCarthy, THE STATION AGENT wonderfully mixes drama and comedy in a beautiful countryside setting. Although the storyline acknowledges that the main character is a dwarf and refers to this on numerous occasions, there is much more to the character of Fin McBride than his short stature. As Fin, Dinklage gives an outstandingly nuanced performance, one that is perfectly complemented by Cannavale's happy-go-lucky Joe and Clarkson's mourning Olivia. The movie also features excellent supporting turns by Michelle Williams and Raven Goodwin. Touching but never sappy, THE STATION AGENT is a charming film that easily joins the ranks of other quirky rural dramas such as WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE? and THE STRAIGHT STORY. [More]
Starring: Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale, Michelle Williams
Starring: Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale, Michelle Williams, Raven Goodwin, Paul Benjamin, Richard Kind
Director: Tom McCarthy
Director: Tom McCarthy
Screenwriter: Tom McCarthy
Producer: Kathryn Tucker, Mary Jane Skalski, Robert May
Composer: Stephen Trask
Studio: Miramax Films
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Release:
Jun 15, 2004
Reviews for The Station Agent
McCarthy’s impressive directorial debut reflects, like few other films in recent memory, the feeling that we aren’t alone, no matter how much we might think we want to be.
Writer/ director Thomas McCarthy has done a fine job of exploring loneliness, alienation and opening up to the world – and without sounding a single false note in the process.
The Station Agent's gentle wit and hard-won insights feel like the product of someone who has observed the world around him with an empathetic eye.
The Station Agent is funny, respectful, and best of all, hopeful in nature.
The kind of film that's sentimental but not sloppy, that invites you into its warm heart without offending your cynical head.
Carefully and lovingly documents the ways in which these characters fill their time and grow closer.
A beautiful story of three broken people, who learn how to live all over again.
[P]uts ever so fine a point on the piquance of what it means to be alive and human and made of inconvenient flesh and blood.
This human drama may be a big showcase for small actor Peter Dinklage, but it's much more than a one-man show. ...
It's a wonderfully simple story about feeling like a geek and realizing that you're not alone.
A diminutive movie with a big, yet unsentimental heart...as compelling and charming as the remarkable Peter Dinklage makes the lead character.
That “The Station Agent” is such a beautiful and enjoyable film despite its TV movie of the week sentiment is a tribute to the fine assemblage of actors.
Latest News for The Station Agent
September 12, 2007:
RTIndie: TIFF Acquisitions Include Controversial, Political Films
This week in RTIndie, we have a roundup of the some key indie acquisitions from the Toronto Film festival. Also, our DVD Pick of the week spotlights the latest from a legend of... More...
March 31, 2006:
Dinklage to Play "Underdog" Villain
Peter Dinklage, indie-centric actor best known for his work in "The Station Agent" and "Elf," has been tapped by Disney to play the villain in the studio's... More...
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