One of the great independent films of 2003 and one of my personal favorites, "The Station Agent" introduces us to the exceptionally talented Peter Dinklage. Although upon first impression most people will only notice his 4 foot 5 inch frame, his deeply brooding and thoughtful performances rival any actor working today. Finbar McBride, or Fin, is a solitary man who works at a hobby shop repairing and working with model trains. One day his friend and the stores owner Henry falls over dead, presumably of a heart attack. Fin is lost in despair, Henry however has left him a small but abandoned depot station to him in his will. With nothing tying him down Fin moves into to the Newfoundland depot station. Just across the way is an oddly placed food truck called Gorgeous Franks and its lone operator Joe, played by Bobby Cannavale. Joe is a friendly and energetic man who's intrigued by Fin arrival. Although not looking to make friends Fin eventually comes around and allows him to hang around with him. Also upon arrival Fin has a few run ins with Olivia, played by Patricia Clarkson. She doesn't make that good a first or second impression for that matter as she almost runs him over with her car, twice. Olivia is a friendly but slightly frantic, painter who is separated from her rich husband, Joe however has had his eye on her for quite some time.Writer and director Tom McCarthy creates this world for these characters that is based in small town reality. Fin has a number of encounters with a curious little African American girl as well as a possible girlfriend in the form of the young and beautiful librarian, played by Michelle Williams. Although the heart of the story is the relationship between the three friend Fin, Joe, and Olivia. All are damaged in their own way and looking for something real. Finn fights with loneliness and alienation, while the return of Olivia's husband throws her life into an angry spiral. Joe is full of life and charisma, but misses his son, who lives with his mother. "The Station Agent" is a wonderful film, skillfully acted on all fronts with a deeply heartfelt story of a marginalized man trying to find his place in the world.Although a lot of people now know Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister on "Game of Thrones", please take a moment to watch "The Station Agent".

The Station Agent (2003): Dir: Thomas McCarthy / Cast: Peter Dinkledge, Bobby Cannavale, Patricia Clarkson, Michelle Williams, Raven Goodwin: Beautiful film about friendship and seclusion. It stars Peter Dinklage as a dwarf who inherits an abandon railway station. He moves into the station in hopes of avoiding people but is interrupted by a roadside refreshment restaurant run by Bobby Cannavale. He is nearly hit twice by a car driven by Patricia Clarkson, a divorced woman still grieving the loss of her son. Other characters include the school girl who observes him from a distance, and the librarian dating schmuck whom he befriends. Directed by Thomas McCarthy who combines drama and humour and is backed by top notch acting performances. While roles for midgets and dwarfs are hard pickings, Dinkledge nails this role as someone who grows to love in unexpected ways even after low periods. Cannavale earns comic points in his unintended intrusion. Clarkson steals scenes as the depressed woman whom is aided by Dinkledge at a crucial moment. Michelle Williams is given a predictable yet pivotal role as a female whom Dinkledge attempts to protect. Underrated independent gem with flawless performances and a witty screenplay. God said that man should not be alone. Here is a film that underlines that statement. We should all have a station agent. Score: 10 / 10

I don't get why this movie is highly rated because honestly it is a boring movie. I don't say the actors are bad, because they are not, but the story is really boring. I almost fell asleep a couple times. The dwarf Finlab McBride played by Peter Dinklage is such a boring person. A frustrated person that doesn't want to do anything, that is answering every single question with a "no" "yes" or "I don't know". That's what the whole movie is about. A couple of nice people that try to have a conversation with the most boring and unpleasant guy ever. It is so over the top because honestly nobody would continue trying to have a conversation with a guy like that after being pushed away so many times. It's completely unreal that people continue trying to be friends with an irritating human being like his character. I give it a six stars rating and I'm being very generous today.

The Station Agent is a Movie that brings so many different yet simple aspects of a quiet life in the middle of 'nowhere' so to speak. The main characters of the movie- Finbar,Joey and Olivia all live or live and work in the small town/village of Newfoundland, NJ. This is a heart warming story about people who meet each other either through accidents or circumstances that they really can't control and fall into friendship that definitely goes beyond words. I really can't put one actor or actress above the other among the above mentioned three. Many people underestimate the role Joey plays, but in my opinion Joey is the glue that keeps them together. 'He is full of life' as Olivia observes. The movie has a fantastic location,soundtrack and overall cinematography. This movie is definitely a fantastic work in just about every aspect and it certainly deserves a 10. Very highly recommended.