The Station Agent

Colour, 35 mm
USA, 2003, 88 min
Section: Sundance at Karlovy Vary

Synopsis

The title of the film harks back to a profession from the early age of the American railroad that once referred to both the depot master and the dispatcher, who not only ran a shop but was also the barber. Thirty-something Fin McBride (Peter Dinklage) is a loner who loves trains above all else. Fin had long since isolated himself from those around him, who seemed only interested in his dwarfish stature. But that was only until Fin’s whole life changed with an unexpected inheritance in the form of a moss-covered train station in rural New Jersey that had not been used for years. Fin’s world of lonely strolls and waiting for inbound trains, so far removed from the disposition of the title profession, is infringed upon by two new people at once, the chatty owner of a snack truck, Joe (Bobby Cannavale), and a scatterbrained painter named Olivia (Patricia Clarkson). With dry wit and modest sensitivity, this independent film, one of the most successful of 2003, tells how “loneliness is better when you’ve someone to share it with”.

About the director

Tom McCarthy (b. 1969), originally an actor, appeared in a number of movies for the big screen (Conspiracy Theory – 1997,  Meet the Parents – 2000, Good Night and Good Luck – 2005 ) and TV (Mary and Tim, St. Maybe, Ally McBeal, The Guru). He has co-authored several theatrical plays (The Napoleonade, The Killing Act). The Station Agent is McCarthy’s directorial debut.