I rented this one because I loved The Visitor, Tom McCarthy's story of the immmigrant who came to stay. This one is equally thoughtful, poignant, memorable because it's just a slice of life story, almost a French film.
The Station Agent
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A quiet joy with breathtaking performances.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 16 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Station Agent was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this movie has extremely strong language and sexual references, including out of wedlock pregnancies. Characters drink and smoke a lot and one becomes drunk. There are some sad deaths (offscreen) and some mild peril (no one hurt). The thoughtlessness and prejudice Fin experiences are sensitively portrayed and there is a lovely friendship that transcends age and race.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about why Olivia only could be friends with Joe after meeting Fin and what made each of the characters begin to want to be with each other.
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More on The Station Agent
What’s the Story?
THE STATION AGENT centers on Fin (Peter Dinklage), who inherits an abandoned train station in Newfoundland, New Jersey and goes there to live. Just outside the station is the world's least busy snack stand, run by Joe (Bobby Cannavale), who learns that Fin wants to be left alone. Joe has tried to make friends with Olivia (Patricia Clarkson) a reclusive artist, but made no progress. Then Olivia almost runs Fin off the road and makes amends by bringing him gifts. Joe and Olivia find themselves "walking the right of way" with Fin, and when Fin and Joe use the camera from Olivia to film a train, they take it to Olivia's house to have dinner and show it to her. Little by little, two people who thought they did not want to be with anyone and one who is desperate for almost any kind of interaction begin to be important to each other in a way that will matter to them more than they could have imagined. Fin also befriends a little girl named Cleo (Raven Goodwin) and by Emily (Michelle Williams), the local librarian. When they need his help, he learns that he can do more than he thought, and that matters to him, too.
Is It Any Good?
This movie is a quiet joy, with sensitive performances of breathtaking delicacy. Dinklage gives Fin a dignity and self-possession that makes his journey infinitely touching. Cannavale gives Joe a subtle yearning quality beneath the bluster. In one scene, some guys who would seem like natural companions for Joe come by to joke around and they invite him to play ball with him. Cannavale's reaction shows us that he understands Joe far better than Joe understands himself.
Goodwin is marvelously natural as Cleo sees Finn for the first time and asks him what grade he is in. Clarkson, who won an acting award at Sundance, has the showiest and most under-written role, but she gives Olivia grace and heart. These characters will stay with you for a long time.
Movie Details
Studio: Miramax, Director: Tom McCarthy
Run time: 88 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/3/2003, DVD release: 6/14/2004
MPAA Rating: R for language and some drug content
Run time: 88 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/3/2003, DVD release: 6/14/2004
MPAA Rating: R for language and some drug content
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Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
- My highlights are:
Wonderful but would be boring to tweens. It's not about them.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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