The Station Agent (2003)

When his only friend dies, a man born with dwarfism moves to rural New Jersey to live a life of solitude, only to meet a chatty hot dog vendor and a woman dealing with her own personal loss.

Director:

Thomas McCarthy

Writer:

Thomas McCarthy

Stars:

Peter Dinklage, Paul Benjamin, Bobby Cannavale

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 25 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Dinklage	...	Finbar McBride
Paul Benjamin	...	Henry Styles
Jase Blankfort	...	Store Customer
Paula Garcés	...	Cashier (as Paula Garces)
Josh Pais	...	Carl
Richard Kind	...	Louis Tiboni
Bobby Cannavale	...	Joe Oramas
Patricia Clarkson	...	Olivia Harris
Lynn Cohen	...	Patty at the Good to Go
Raven Goodwin	...	Cleo
Marla Sucharetza	...	Janice
Michelle Williams	...	Emily
Jayce Bartok	...	Chris
Joe Lo Truglio	...	Danny (as Joe Lotruglio)
John Slattery	...	David

Storyline

When his only friend and co-worker dies, a young man born with dwarfism moves to an abandoned train depot in rural New Jersey. Though he tried to maintain a life of solitude, he is soon entangled with an artist who is struggling with a personal tragedy and an overly friendly Cuban hot-dog vendor.

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Plot Keywords:

train | depot | dwarf | newfoundland new jersey | librarian | 

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Taglines:

Loneliness is much better when you have got someone to share it with (norway DVD release).

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some drug content

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

5 December 2003 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Station Agent

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£97,044 (UK) (26 March 2004)

Gross:

£266,392 (UK) (2 April 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

SenArt Films, Next Wednesday Productions, Station Agent, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the hospital waiting room near the end of the film, Joe can be seen reading Robert Evans' autobiography 'The Kid Stays in the Picture'.

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Goofs

When Fin picks up the groceries for Olivia, he has his bag on his shoulder. The bag is not there when he delivers the groceries, but it returns after he has left Olivia's house.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Henry Styles: Morning, professor.
Finbar McBride: Good morning.

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Connections

References Fantasy Island (1977)

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Soundtracks

"Silver Electric"
(2000)
Music by Fetish
Lyrics by Matt Olyphant
Performed by Fetish
Courtesy of Adeline Records
By Arrangement with Crusty Old Timer, Inc.

User Reviews

Even better than I expected

I heard the comments, I read the reviews, but actually seeing The Station Agent was even better than I had expected. I watched it in a library--and it was almost a full house for the showing tonight. At the end there was a burst of applause. I watch movies in libraries quite often, but I can't remember the last time I heard applause when the movie was over.

Another movie (Lost in Translation is in this group) which doesn't settle for the oh-too-obvious "fall in love" clichés, and presents supportive friendship as a worthwhile choice. I think that working towards friendship is a tremendous possibility (and never one that you have to regret in the morning)!