I popped out to rent a video for the first time in years, and came back with, amongst others, The Station Agent. It wasn’t a film I’d heard of, and I’m normally rather wary of such, but enjoyed the film immensely.
Occasionally, you come across a film that’s just nice. Nothing nasty, nothing hidden, just nice. Amelie is perhaps the last such film I’ve watched like this, and I enjoyed The Station Agent every bit as much.
The film follows Fin as he moves into an abandoned train depot in Newfoundland, New Jersey. Fin is a dwarf, and a train fanatic, who just wants to indulge in his passion for trains. On moving in Joe wants to get to know Fin. Joe is – seemingly – a loud and overbearing character, running his fathers stall outside Fin’s new house. Finally there’s Olivia, who inadvertently meets Fin on almost running him over – twice – during a walk to the shops.
What follows is an intriguing story about a friendship that blossoms despite the best efforts of the people involved. Fin is introspective and monosyllabic, Joe overbearing, and Olivia working to find a life for herself despite a failed marriage. The dialogue is enjoyable, the story minimal, but so much the better for it. It’s wonderfully quirky, beautifully crafted and the acting is first rate throughout.
The Station Agent is simply a portrait of the lives of three people who meet by chance. It’s an enchanting film that has top marks in all areas: excellent characters, beautiful scenery, enthralling yet minimal dialogue, wonderful direction and acting, and is so intriguing from the outset that it’s over far too soon. It’s simply a highly enjoyable film that I can’t recommend highly enough.
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