The Station Agent

This comes very close to five stars. An unbelievable picker-upper if you’re feeling down. But given the hype preceding this movie, in the end it’s not such a miracle movie-wise. But it plainly works full on, which may sound strange, but it’s true. You can best imagine it if you can remember how you felt after watching Ghost Dog. Of course if you leave out the “violence, action and mafia" elements and just keep the part about relationships. The acting performances are great and the characters likeable. Simply an easygoing movie to raise your spirits. (10/08/2004)

I like movies where nothing happens. But in the end, I left unconvinced of the film's greater qualities because there wasn't a single scene that could emotionally impact me. I did sympathize with Fin, and the way Joe cajoled him in the beginning was very nice, not to mention the introduction to Olivia, but the afterglow of the film was very weak. Minor SPOILER – it's like they just removed Joe at the end because it wasn't convenient for him to show up in the story, and then put him back in without a single scene, like nothing happened, everything's cool, because that's just how you forgive in America? I just don't buy it. End of minor SPOILER. But it's good. An unpretentious movie for young and old viewers alike. (19/11/2017)

If I had to choose a small inconspicuous movie that should be a typical representative of independent film and be in sharp contrast to big-budget blockbusters, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment and would mention The Station Agent. This slow film is characterized by the captivating atmosphere of a remote area where foxes say goodnight and countless inhabitants are not in a hurry to go anywhere. Three lonely, quite different people gather at an old abandoned station, and we get to see the emergence of their friendships. A positively tuned film that doesn't try to solve anything significant, but reliably lifts one's mood. So far, this is Peter Dinklage's most prominent role as the solitary dwarf with an interest in trains. Overall impression: 85%. (24/04/2009)

A film that would make many an action film fan grow over with moss. I decided to give it another watch after years. To my own surprise, I enjoyed both the plot, which lacked any major twists, as well as the pace, which would lose a race to an asthmatic tortoise, even more than the first time. Peter Dinklage may be known from Game of Thrones as the chattiest member of House Lannister. Honestly, I much prefer him as Finbar, who barely utters three sentences a day. If anyone was drawn to watch the film because of the word comedy in the list of genres, they were probably disappointed. I consider it to be more of a drama with occasional funny moments. I never understood, and still don't understand people’s fascination with other people’s physical differences. When someone stands out from the rest of the herd in appearance (and behavior), they are either driven away or trampled. Well, either way, Finbar was the least special character for me in this case. One of the best moments of the film came with the question: "Do you people have clubs?" That was awesome. Others would probably start looting. A nice film about people for people. / Lesson learned: Are you short? At least it gives you a perspective on the world which is different from everyone else’s. (23/09/2022)

Such a humble yet worthwhile film. Completely human, beautifully written characters, a railway setting combined with beautiful scenery, and a great example of a lifestyle the like of which I can't imagine exists anywhere today (unfortunately). I really love films that, both in their story, the setting in which they take place and, ultimately, the characters, who create a civil and pleasant impression, manage at the same time to remind us of many "human" aspects and rather gently call us (not all of us, of course) to greater sensitivity and consideration and less indifference among people. The main character's handicap is actually "just" seasoning for the entire film, as the behavior of the individual characters are influenced by a great number of other circumstances. (18/10/2011)