A story about a man with dwarfism who's hobby is trainspotting doesn't sound like an inspiring tale, but the Station Agent is a remarkable achievement in making it just that. Relocating to a fairly remote area where he has inherited some property, the main character becomes very popular - not because of his cute dwarfism, but because he exhibits an inner strength that enables people to eventually see past his physical deformity. Superb acting by all the cast, and wonderful contrasts between their inner lives and the outer personas they use to deal with the everyday superficialities of the world (including meeting new people). The film is beautiful, uplifting, realistic, without ever becoming cheesy or moralising. A joy to behold.

"The Station Agent" is NOT a film that many folks would enjoy. However, if you are VERY patient and lower your expectations a bit, it might be worth seeing. Now I know this is certainly not a glowing endorsement...so read on and perhaps you'll understand what I mean.

The film begins with Fin (Peter Dinklage) receiving a deceased friend's property in rural New Jersey. The place turns out to be an old abandoned train station and Fin moves there. Oddly, you never learn through the course of the film how Fin affords to live as you never see him working once he moves to the country.

Fin is a very withdrawn guy who is uncomfortable around people and no doubt this is at least in part due to him being a dwarf. Folks stare at him, don't quite know how to act around him and sometimes act very invasively towards him (such as the lady in the convenience store snapping pictures of him). Fin keeps them at a distance by engaging with people as little as possible. Inexplicably, despite not being a very nice or talkative person, an odd young man, Joe (Bobby Cannavale) befriends him--even with Fin doesn't do anything to indicate he wants a friend. Soon, Fin also inexplicably gains another initially unwanted friend, Olivia (Patricia Clarkson). How can these strange and seriously damaged people somehow forge friendships together?

The film has lots of quiet moments...with the actors saying very, very little. Staring and sitting in silence (or with Joe talking as the other two say nothing) is much of the film...and you really have to be willing to accept this. Additionally, when the movie is over, the thing just ends--there is no real clear ending! It's more a slice of life film that meanders...about some screwed up people, that's for sure.

Fin McBride (Peter Dinklage) works in a Hoboken hobby train shop with his friend Henry. When Henry dies suddenly, the shop is sold and Henry leaves him an abandoned train station in rural New Jersey. He moves into the station to be alone. He is reluctantly pulled into the lives of talkative Joe Oramas (Bobby Cannavale) who is working his father's food truck and Olivia Harris (Patricia Clarkson) who almost runs him over, twice. She is separated from her husband and still struggling with her son's death from two years ago. He is also befriended by young black girl Cleo and librarian Emily (Michelle Williams).

It is a nice easy indie of these disparate characters coming together. It's probably the first staring role I saw with Dinklage. It's a quiet performance. Cannavale is his opposite. Clarkson is a little goofy at first but turns into a very compelling character. Williams is the young ingénue. The plot needs a more interesting narrative. There are no real stakes other than personal growth. I like these characters but there is no intensity.