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The Station Agent

Play trailer Poster for The Station Agent R 2003 1h 28m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 158 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
The life of train aficionado and downcast little person Finbar McBride takes an unexpected turn when his boss dies and wills him a railroad depot in New Jersey. He decides to relocate to the small town, where he befriends talkative food vendor Joe Oramas and unhappy wife Olivia Harris. As the trio's interactions deepen, quirky conversations and outcomes ensue. McBride also gains insight from librarian Emily.
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The Station Agent

The Station Agent

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Critics Consensus

A sweet and quirky film about a dwarf, a refreshment stand operator, and a reclusive artist connecting with one another.

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Critics Reviews

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Anthony Lane The New Yorker Feb 24, 2023
None of the central performers put a foot wrong; Dinklage excels as a burdened man who is angry, tired, and tough. Go to Full Review Amy Taubin Film Comment Magazine Apr 10, 2018
The Station Agent is little more than a three-character, metaphorically burdened off-Broadway play, but Peter Dinklage's understated performance gives it a bit of substance. Go to Full Review Antonia Quirke London Evening Standard Dec 18, 2017
Dinklage is a star, for sure, but the film is hypnotic because of its unusually certain and constantly delicate tone. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Apr 14, 2023
For the first time in his career, [Peter] Dinklage was allowed to play someone with dimension, passion, and an identity beyond his physical attributes, and he makes the most of it. Go to Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Sep 19, 2022
B
Dinklage, much the best reason to see the movie, brings what must be a lifetime of weathering insults and morbid curiosity to his role. Go to Full Review Michael Clark Epoch Times Oct 24, 2021
5/5
If you're in the market for a human-interest story which earns its uplift and inspiration tags through deft writing without beating you over the head with clichés and stereotypes, you're not likely to find a better example than The Station Agent. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Les N @Vegas628 Sep 3, 2026 How did I miss this gem??? See more Juris O @Juris100 Jun 23, 2026 A light, good-natured film without any particular semantic meaning. See more zilaa A @RT41516816 May 18, 2026 I don't know why people like this movie, there's no explanation about a clear plot and Finn's character is very bad See more Abdulrehman T @Reedify May 8, 2026 One of the best movies for passing your time but I feel like it is missing some quality. It is also really short. I would enjoy more of it. See more Briana I. @Anaire May 3, 2026 This movie was a breath of fresh air. It's like a perfect rainy lazy day. Very subtle honest and relaxing. Every character played their roles so eloquently. Definitely recommend for an easy laid back mood. See more JP K @JPKnLA Feb 11, 2026 One my "most underrated" - it strikes at the heart of great art, because while the actors are superb, and the crew produces great imagery, there's a feeling that TSA produces that's sublime. It's a movie that embodies that feeling I had while growing up in LA, of playing basketball all day, and then as it was late afternoon, the shadows elongated, but it was "Golden Hour" and the quiet beauty of life didn't bowl you over, it just revealed itself. If you're lucky enough to view this in the right frame of mind, you'll also witness a director who really knows what he's doing. A beautifully imposing movie. See more Read all reviews
The Station Agent

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Cast & Crew

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Tom McCarthy

Director

Peter Dinklage

Finbar McBride

Patricia Clarkson

Olivia Harris

Bobby Cannavale

Joe Oramas

Raven Goodwin

Cleo

Paul Benjamin

Henry Styles

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The Station Agent

The Station Agent (2003) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The life of train aficionado and downcast little person Finbar McBride takes an unexpected turn when his boss dies and wills him a railroad depot in New Jersey. He decides to relocate to the small town, where he befriends talkative food vendor Joe Oramas and unhappy wife Olivia Harris. As the trio's interactions deepen, quirky conversations and outcomes ensue. McBride also gains insight from librarian Emily.
Director
Tom McCarthy
Producer
Mary Jane Skalski, Robert May, Kathryn Tucker
Screenwriter
Tom McCarthy
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
SenArt Films, Next Wednesday Productions
Rating
R (Some Drug Content|Language)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 10, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.7M
Runtime
1h 28m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround
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