CATRIONA PAUL at the movies.

FEELING JADED? The grumbles of the day will fade away as you watch The Station Agent. Like a glass of ice-cool lemonade on a long, hot, dusty day, this film refreshes. You’ll leave the cinema feeling kinder, calmer, and just better.

But let’s get it over with and mention the fact that the lead actor is a dwarf, Peter Dinklage, who has a dinky surname. Now forget your reservations (and I had some too), and go see the film. It’s not about size; it’s about personality.

Finbar McBride works in a toy train shop. When the shop’s owner dies, Fin loses his job but inherits a station house by a train track in rural New Jersey. He moves, expecting undisturbed quiet. What he hasn’t figured on is the friendly hot dog vendor Joe (Bobby Cannavale), or the crazy artist laydee Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), both of whom come crashing into Fin’s life.

As they get to know each other, Fin’s dwarfism edges into the conversation, alongside Olivia’s bereavement and Joe’s concern for the health of his father. But stature is never centre stage. Rather, the trio’s friendship takes pride of place and it gives the film real heart and humour. Particular credit must go to writer/director, and sometime actor, Thomas McCarthy, surely a name for the future.

I made two wishes as I left the cinema – wish that it had gone on longer, (a rare compliment); and wish that I had a movie-time travelling machine that could plonk me down at the station house for a hot dog and a beer. How long since you liked characters that much?

THE STATION AGENT
General release, selected cinemas.
Director: Thomas McCarthy
Writer: Thomas McCarthy
Stars: Peter Dinklage, Bobby Cannavale, Patricia Clarkson, Michelle Williams, Paul Benjamin, John Slattery
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 88 mins
Country: USA
Year: 2003

© Catriona Paul, 2004