After the death of his best friend and employer, Henry (Paul Benjamin), Fin (Peter Dinklage) leaves his passion for repairing toy trains and heads to New Jersey, having inherited his friend’s depot due to his death. Fin just wants to live a quiet, private life, but with a neighbour like Joe (Bobby Cannavale) privacy doesn’t exist.

Living in a small town in New Jersey, the life of solitude and peace that Fin wants is a dream. His appearance alone seems to be the talk of the town, as everywhere he goes, people watch and stare – some have the audacity to treat him as a novelty and take pictures. Having been almost run down twice by Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), an unlikely friendship develops between the three, as Fin begins to give in to the company and leave behind his lonewolf isolation.

The Station Agent is a quaint tale, but written with deft touch of simplicity and character, with what could have become dull and tired, is actually an engrossing and enjoyable comic drama about the loneliness people feel in their lives, regardless of what they look like on the exterior. The message is rather simple, and is delivered through some brilliant performances from Dinklage and Clarkson.

There’s a certain animosity and hostility that Fin displays when approached by strangers. He doesn’t want to get involved, because of his self doubt of his own stature in size. His eventual realisation that everyone has their own problems, humbles his own selfishness and draws an inner strength to help his new found friends.

It’s rather ironic that in one duration of the film, the tables are turned, and the isolation he once expresses to others his thrown upon him; giving him a taste of his own medicine. Of course none of this is intended, but happens due to some unfortunate circumstances beyond anyone’s control.

You can’t watch this film, expecting action or slapstick. There is a brilliant, yet bleak, wry humour about the film; in a deadpan sort of way. There are subtle moments which will either make you smile and laugh, or you will simply ignore them. It’s not a film that demands concentration, but this is not your everyday, run of the mill $100 million epic drama. The tale is simple, but the characters are layered, and very well played by the actors on screen. The script is brilliant, and at times disturbing; particularly when Fin’s own hostility and awareness of those staring at him get to him.

The sad fact is, this happens, and it will always happen. If you look different, you are treated differently; not with respect, but pity and sorrow. This is well reflected in the film, where most of the characters seem more scared of what they say might offend Fin, rather than treating him as they would treat anyone else.

There’s a lot of depth to this film. The feeling of personal loss, and how each of the three main characters attempts to cope with that through their actions, their words and displayed through their body language. It’s perhaps the most character focused film I have seen in a while, and a very refreshing film to see. Those that say there was no ending; I would argue the ending is just fine. The film does have an ending, because you need to consider where the characters begin at the start of the film, and where they end up at the end of the film. It’s not a typical Hollywood ending, but I cannot think of a better way the film could have ended.

Fortunately, aside from the strong script and fantastic characters, the film also adds an immense amount in atmosphere, with it’s brilliant and gentle soundtrack, as well as the beautiful cinematography. Whether it’s rustic charm contrasting with beautiful greenery, or the sheer scale of the trains compared to Fin’s height; it’s all carefully and wonderfully shot and captures Fin’s world deliciously.

The Station Agent is without question not a movie for everyone. It’s gradual pace, the traumatised characters, the slow character development, and it’s lack of stereotypical structure will put off many people from watching it. It chooses not to adhere to the usual rules, and sets about creating its own rules of how the film should be. At times I laughed, and other times I watched mesmerised by the brilliance of some of the performances, expressing pain and anguish convincingly.

Verdict: An enjoyable, and beautifully shot, human comedy about the bond of friendship and the trauma of personal grief