The Station Agent

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The Station Agent

R

2003

1h 28m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

158 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

The life of train aficionado and downcast little person Finbar McBride takes an unexpected turn when his boss dies and wills him a railroad depot in New Jersey. He decides to relocate to the small town, where he befriends talkative food vendor Joe Oramas and unhappy wife Olivia Harris. As the trio's interactions deepen, quirky conversations and outcomes ensue. McBride also gains insight from librarian Emily.

Critics Consensus

A sweet and quirky film about a dwarf, a refreshment stand operator, and a reclusive artist connecting with one another.

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Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

02/24/2023

None of the central performers put a foot wrong; Dinklage excels as a burdened man who is angry, tired, and tough.

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Amy Taubin

Film Comment Magazine

04/10/2018

The Station Agent is little more than a three-character, metaphorically burdened off-Broadway play, but Peter Dinklage's understated performance gives it a bit of substance.

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Antonia Quirke

London Evening Standard

12/18/2017

Dinklage is a star, for sure, but the film is hypnotic because of its unusually certain and constantly delicate tone.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

04/14/2023

For the first time in his career, [Peter] Dinklage was allowed to play someone with dimension, passion, and an identity beyond his physical attributes, and he makes the most of it.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

09/19/2022

B

Dinklage, much the best reason to see the movie, brings what must be a lifetime of weathering insults and morbid curiosity to his role.

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Michael Clark

Epoch Times

10/24/2021

5/5

If you're in the market for a human-interest story which earns its uplift and inspiration tags through deft writing without beating you over the head with clichés and stereotypes, you're not likely to find a better example than The Station Agent.

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JP K

@JPKnLA Feb 11

One my "most underrated" - it strikes at the heart of great art, because while the actors are superb, and the crew produces great imagery, there's a feeling that TSA produces that's sublime. It's a movie that embodies that feeling I had while growing up in LA, of playing basketball all day, and then as it was late afternoon, the shadows elongated, but it was "Golden Hour" and the quiet beauty of life didn't bowl you over, it just revealed itself. If you're lucky enough to view this in the right frame of mind, you'll also witness a director who really knows what he's doing. A beautifully imposing movie.

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Lucas D

@Lucas.Dorner Feb 4

A really simple story with no big goal or mission.There isn’t a lot of excitement or tension while watching, but there were still some wow moments that surprised me and made me question myself and how I treat other people. It didn’t feel like a movie that was trying to force a moral or a message, and that’s probably why it’s so great. P.S Michelle Williams is cute as hell in that film

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Jeremy S

@RT61123228 Jan 27

It's a joy to watch. Difficult to say why. It just is. So there.

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James K

@KielyClan Jan 16

Peter is fantastic which is a given at this stage. I felt it had lots of moments that just fell short. I was expecting more tbh. Maybe the scenes were not long enough to build into more, or just too quite.

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Jeff B

@jdsb3 Jan 15

This movie is one that ended too soon. A great simple movie. Very well written and produced. The actors were perfect. A great story line. Would love another part. Highly recommend it. jdsb-3

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Jackson M.

@Nshvlleindie Jan 11

A forgotten, beautiful story of loneliness, friendship, and sheer bliss. The Best Picture at Sundance years back had a stunningly perfect cast that transmits such wonderful chemistry that unsuspectingly wraps you up. It’s authenticity in Station Agent that reminds you how sometimes the most oridnary stories are actually the ones you enjoy the most.

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Tom McCarthy

Director

Peter Dinklage

Finbar McBride

Patricia Clarkson

Olivia Harris

Bobby Cannavale

Joe Oramas

Raven Goodwin

Cleo

Paul Benjamin

Henry Styles

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35%

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Synopsis

The life of train aficionado and downcast little person Finbar McBride takes an unexpected turn when his boss dies and wills him a railroad depot in New Jersey. He decides to relocate to the small town, where he befriends talkative food vendor Joe Oramas and unhappy wife Olivia Harris. As the trio's interactions deepen, quirky conversations and outcomes ensue. McBride also gains insight from librarian Emily.

Director: Tom McCarthy
Producer: Mary Jane Skalski, Robert May, Kathryn Tucker
Screenwriter: Tom McCarthy
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: SenArt Films, Next Wednesday Productions
Rating: R (Some Drug Content|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.7M
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

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