THE STATION AGENT
Directed by: Tom McCarthy.
Produced by: Mary Jane Skalski, Robert May & Kathryn Tucker.
Written by: McCarthy.
Director of Photography: Oliver Bokelberg.
Edited by: Tom McArdle.
Music by: Stephen Task.
Released by: Miramax.
Country of Origin: USA. 88 min. Rated: R.
With: Peter Dinklage, Bobby Cannavale, Patricia Clarkson & Michelle Williams.
DVD Features: Commentary by: director/writer Tom McCarthy & actors Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson & Bobby Cannavale. Deleted scenes with optional commentary.

Just connect: three disparate lonely people in a small New Jersey town, after a bumpy start, form a bond. At four feet and five inches, Finbar McBride (Dinklage), is “one of those memorable people.” The daily ritual of being the butt of jokes (“It’s f------ Mini-Me”) or being treated as an odd curiosity has left him feeling more than a little defensive. Inheriting an abandoned train depot, he just wants the peace of being left alone. But Joe Oramas (Cannavale), who runs a coffee stand across the yard (seemingly in the middle of nowhere), persists in being his friend, like the little engine that could. And walking along a leafy lane, Finbar meets another neighbor, Olivia (Clarkson), when she almost runs him over with her car.

The film itself would have been, like the townspeople, patronizing but well meaning if not for unsentimental role of Finbar, who at times is abrasively angry. Intriguingly, the script leaves open the question of his feelings for the divorced Olivia and the town’s pretty librarian (Williams). The Station Agent works best in the unguarded, relaxed moments between Finbar, Joe, and Olivia. Cannavale charmingly ingratiates himself, and Clarkson brings both fragility and steeliness. When she’s deep in her thoughts, laughing at her own jokes, it’s as if she has her own movie running in her head. However, the film’s several in-your-face melodramatic moments are forced, coming out of nowhere - the few maudlin moments in an otherwise amiable film. As comforting, a bit hokey, and predictable as a CBS Sunday Night Movie, this intimate film should play well on television. Kent Turner
October 2, 2003

DVD Extras: The audio commentary is an enjoyable and fitting companion to the movie. The actors are very similar to their on-screen counterparts; Peter Dinklage sounds just as cool being himself, Patricia Clarkson as classy, and Bobby Cannavale as amusing. They share an easy rapport with one another, mixing teasing humor and a genuine appreciation for each others talents. In addition to the levity, they give much due credit to the actors who had smaller, yet equally well-crafted performances, such as Michelle Williams and the child-actress Raven Goodwin. They also never fail to thank the many individuals who loaned equipment or their talent for this very, very low-budget picture. The deleted scenes are all extremely short, which makes sense considering how compact and straightforward the movie is to begin with. But one scene, originally to be the film's ending, is worth checking out. Michael Fisher
July 5, 2004