media consumption

The Station Agent

I'd considered seeing The Last Samurai this weekend, but instead opted for The Station Agent as it's been out for some time now and I wanted to catch it before it left the Little.

The Station Agent has got to be pretty much the polar opposite of The Last Samurai. Fin (played by Peter Dinklage) inherits an old train depot in the middle of no-place-in-particular, NJ from his best friend and fellow train enthusiast, Henry (Paul Benjamin). Fin moves in and despite his best efforts, befriends hot dog vendor Joe (Bobby Cannavale) and artist Olivia (Patricia Clarkson). Fin, btw, is a dwarf--and did I mention he likes trains? He likes them a lot. Joe is lonely, overbearing and dealing w an ailing father. Olivia is newly separated and trying to cope w the loss of her 5 yr-old son.

This may be my #1 film of the year (granted, I haven't seen that many). It was heartwarming w/o being smarmy, funny w/o being ridiculous and earnest w/o being melodramatic. Like Lost in Translation, this film depicted people struggling to break through their insecurities and learning to trust each other. Both these films skip the sex and sizzle of most contemporary movies and remind us that realistic, 3D characters can be more interesting than even the most exotic action hero.

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