"The Station Agent" 4 stars Starring: Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale, Raven Goodwin, Michelle Williams MPAA Rating: R Running Time: 90 minutes Release Date: Oct. 17, 2003
Life rolls off Finbar McBride's back like the rumbling trains over the steady, endless tracks. Finbar (Peter Dinklage, "Just a Kiss") is a dwarf, and when his only friend dies he retreats to the magical land of New Jersey to live in a train depot and to enshroud himself in solitude. The 4-foot, 5-inch, outwardly stoic Fin struggles internally with constant snickering and jokes over his miniscule figure. He finds solace and friendship with fragile artist Olivia (Patricia Clarkson, "All the Real Girls") and gradually moves on to new horizons in his life, much like the trains he so ardently loves hurtle down the track to the next station.
The film derives many of its hilarious moments from the unlikely interplay between Fin and hot dog vendor Joe (Bobby Cannavale, "Washington Heights"), who relentlessly pursues Fin's friendship and candor. Joe's goofiness and youthful exuberance start to rub off on Fin as he wrestles with his solitude, and on Olivia as she wrestles with the recent loss of her son and an ugly separation from her husband. Fin's laconic responses and captivating facial expressions complement Joe's boyish enthusiasm and ridiculous quips. The endearing child Cleo (Raven Goodwin, "Lovely and Amazing') opens up Fin's heart as well, and her presence in the audience Wednesday night increased the focus on her brilliantly played character.
Fin finds romance as well, as he manages to lock lips with a married woman and a pregnant teenage librarian. Yet his relationship with Olivia is sometimes turbulent and uncertain, and the two have simultaneous, separate and drug-induced breakdowns before they can rise to recovery. A dramatic suicide for both is possible, but fortunately the movie does not delve that darkly. The romance is never kitschy or overdone, and appears genuine. All the actors in this film are excellent, especially Cannavale and Dinklage, and the emotionally intense moments are skillfully offset by the offbeat humor of Fin and Joe, Emily and Cleo.
Despite a quasi-Hollywood ending, where Fin emerges from his self-imposed cocoon to embrace his newfound friends and even presents information about trains in front of Cleo's class, this film is offbeat, sometimes intense and insanely humorous. Director Tom McCarthy ("Meet the Parents") adds some nice touches with overhead and blurred shots, and the soundtrack is low-key and quiet, reflecting Fin's demeanor. "The Station Agent" won three awards at this year's Sundance Film Festival and is well worth a look. It comes out on Oct. 17.
