The Station Agent
Miramax Films | Release Date: October 3, 2003
8.5
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 115 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
106
Mixed:
5
Negative:
4
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
0
DenisG.Sep 27, 2005
Ending not abrupt enough. Ten minutes was too much of this drivel abt implausible characters going nowhere slowly.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
9
FranzHcriticJul 9, 2015
It's a delightful indie flick with a natural feel around it. The cast is brilliant, especially the main trio of Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, and Bobby Cannavale. The themes of loneliness and friendship are subtle yet hit just enough toIt's a delightful indie flick with a natural feel around it. The cast is brilliant, especially the main trio of Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, and Bobby Cannavale. The themes of loneliness and friendship are subtle yet hit just enough to touch me. It's quirky, just like life itself is full of quirks.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
seventhsealJan 14, 2015
This movies made me happy, not for a moment after it ended but it made me happy for a very long time after watching it, days even. The story is simple, warm, funny. The casting and characters are nothing short of perfect. If you have notThis movies made me happy, not for a moment after it ended but it made me happy for a very long time after watching it, days even. The story is simple, warm, funny. The casting and characters are nothing short of perfect. If you have not seen this film and are reading this review looking to see if you think it is worth watch, believe me now, stop reading and start watching.

If this movie doesn't warm your insides you must be cryogenic!!!… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
The3AcademySinsOct 20, 2017
A heartwarming, naturalistic indie film about people who come together for healing. The small ensemble cast of Peter Dinklage, Bobby Cannavale, and Patricia Clarkson dominate the screen, and each of them make you feel the loneliness and painA heartwarming, naturalistic indie film about people who come together for healing. The small ensemble cast of Peter Dinklage, Bobby Cannavale, and Patricia Clarkson dominate the screen, and each of them make you feel the loneliness and pain each of their characters are dealing with on a visceral level. Ultimately an uplifting film about friendship, The Station Agent will delight you and give you faith in your fellow man.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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1
jdOct 19, 2007
Yet another movie whose success depends on flattering the viewer that he's somehow more intelligent and sensitive than most of the bozos on screen -- which isn't terribly hard for the writer to do, since he's written all the Yet another movie whose success depends on flattering the viewer that he's somehow more intelligent and sensitive than most of the bozos on screen -- which isn't terribly hard for the writer to do, since he's written all the parts. Add to that the usual dose of post-ironic quirk, and the ludicrous notion that the lonely offer each other comfort (if that were true, why would anyone be lonely?) and we've got a Sundance award-winner. What would happen if actual artists started working in this medium?… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful
10
MERJMKMay 6, 2014
So these people just follow a midget around for an hour and a half...The midget is boring, but so are the people who have been following the midget around. They share their boring lives with each other as friendships manifest itself in theSo these people just follow a midget around for an hour and a half...The midget is boring, but so are the people who have been following the midget around. They share their boring lives with each other as friendships manifest itself in the most natural of ways...boring life stuff happens, and that's the end.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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1
pumbazMay 29, 2012
If he wanted to be left alone - in his boring world. Then why should the viewer be interested? I must say that this is the most boring movie I have ever had to sit through. Who cares about this character and why do I want to know moreIf he wanted to be left alone - in his boring world. Then why should the viewer be interested? I must say that this is the most boring movie I have ever had to sit through. Who cares about this character and why do I want to know more about him if his world is so small that he only wants to watch trains go by. The acting was bad, the plot non-existent. Total Crap !… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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6
PetrovitaApr 13, 2012
A great movie with some interesting view points on life concerning certain types of people.
Abit slow at times, but it is indeed a sweet sensitive story among three people who shouldn't actually be going well together. The main character hadA great movie with some interesting view points on life concerning certain types of people.
Abit slow at times, but it is indeed a sweet sensitive story among three people who shouldn't actually be going well together. The main character had something that reminded me of myself, which I found interesting. Overall a good movie, but action cravers, stay away from this one! You won't find any of that in this movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
mrdancinggeckoJul 5, 2012
I hadn't heard of this film till it came up as a suggestion on Netflix and I'm glad it did. A beautifully crafted, multi award winning film from the extremely talented writer/actor/director Thomas McCarthy. A man with achondroplasia, a formI hadn't heard of this film till it came up as a suggestion on Netflix and I'm glad it did. A beautifully crafted, multi award winning film from the extremely talented writer/actor/director Thomas McCarthy. A man with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, inherits a train station when his only friend dies. He moves there to find solitude. Instead he meets a number of people at his new town, all with their own problems. A story about characters and peoples relationships, quietly underplayed by an excellent ensemble cast. If you need to have a car chase, explosion or fight every ten minutes, the chances are you'll hate this with a passion. The rest of us will have our faith in the art of simple storytelling reborn and satiated… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
moonman1994Jul 28, 2013
Amusing and at the same time gripping The Station Agent is a great film. Tied together with fantastic performances by Cannavale and Dinklage you can't help but love the trio of friends that develop and you can't wait to see how everythingAmusing and at the same time gripping The Station Agent is a great film. Tied together with fantastic performances by Cannavale and Dinklage you can't help but love the trio of friends that develop and you can't wait to see how everything plays out. This film is certainly different which makes it so unique and it seems very realistic which is something that many movies lack.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
Compi24May 2, 2023
The humble beginnings of a future Oscar-winner, "The Station Agent" finds writer-director Tom McCarthy relying on some seemingly bare-bones pieces to build something substantial. If this movie does anything, though, it really does go to showThe humble beginnings of a future Oscar-winner, "The Station Agent" finds writer-director Tom McCarthy relying on some seemingly bare-bones pieces to build something substantial. If this movie does anything, though, it really does go to show that you really can craft a meaningful and satisfying cinematic experience without all the frills of an extensive cast or a bombastic plot. Featuring Peter Dinklage, Bobby Cannavale and Michelle Williams all in the infant stages of their respective careers, this piece really excels in its subdued and understated attempts at capturing small-town Americana, as well as its study of isolation and existential frustration. Though I definitely think McCarthy himself eventually moved on to better things, this definitely has all the hallmarks of his tender and earnest touch.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
JackOfNoTradesAug 13, 2015
The Station Agent has well-developed characters, brilliant actors, a compelling script, and beautiful cinematography. You would think those would be the prerequisites for making a movie, but unfortunately this type of quality is rare.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
DawdlingPoetNov 27, 2021
This movie is very slow paced and its definitely quirky. I didn't feel all that interested in the main character though, which didn't help, yes he's somewhat of a recluse but he doesn't seem particularly endearing or interesting at allThis movie is very slow paced and its definitely quirky. I didn't feel all that interested in the main character though, which didn't help, yes he's somewhat of a recluse but he doesn't seem particularly endearing or interesting at all really, though Joe and Olivia are perhaps more intriguing characters. Its quite nice to see how Fin at first ignores a young child who introduces herself to him and then in time he starts to talk to her more.

The movie is quite deep if you think about the issues it tries to deal with but then that makes for not much of a comedy movie and again its a movie classified as a comedy when really it isn't, not in any kind of a laugh out loud way, thats for sure, its more a 'make you think' type movie, where your given an insight into how people treat dwarfs such as Fin. The movie is quite poignant I suppose, I think that you could get into it but it drags at the start and I found myself losing interest as the main character really didn't seem to appeal to me enough. As the movie progresses, the other characters, as I say, make it more interesting but its really quite a sobering movie overall, not one to get a great deal of entertainment from, thats for sure. I do like to watch the odd quirky movie every so often, thats true and I can see how this would be well received for some but I felt that it seemed to miss something for me personally, perhaps I wasn't in the correct frame of mind for it, I don't know.

I do feel that the movie gets a bit more poignant and even somewhat touching towards the end, though I won't give it away by saying quite how but it does and at the end your left feeling like you've just watched a movie that tried to tackle some pretty serious issues I suppose and that it is a good attempt at a sobering and thoughtful movie but still it isn't among my favourites when it comes to this sort of movie, personally, its too slow to pick up at the start and I just never quite 'got' the main character im afraid, so, I see it as being too average and hence the 3 star rating.

Also don't worry if your not a train enthusiast, the movie isn't all about trains, for anyone wondering! of course trains are mentioned and it plays a role in the story but ultimately the movie is about loneliness and companionship I feel, subjects that intrigue me, so that is one thing that made me interested in renting this movie.

I think perhaps some people would find it somewhat intriguing and interesting and could quite like it but overall, like I say, I felt it was somehow lacking. If the script was tweaked somewhat and some changes made, then yes I'd whole heartedly recommend it but as it is, no I don't think I would recommend it. There are other films of a similar nature that I've enjoyed more.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
hankvbOct 10, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this is a quiet film with Peter Dinklage as the main character who just wants a quiet life. Marvelous.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
geewahMay 4, 2021
A quirky movie that deals with solitude in a touching and heartfelt manner.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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