The Station

When I first read the synopsis for this film, I thought it was an Italian remake of "Brief Encounter" (One of my favorite films ever) and was very curious to see what they have done, specially because of Margherita Buy (one of my favorite actresses) in the leading rôle.

As in the English classic we have a train station as the only setting, the two main characters, the staged feeling, etc. But as it starts one sees that the train station is the only resemblance to the old British classic. It's not a superb production, as a matter of fact, it lags in many scenes, but all in all, specially because of the loveliness of Margherita Buy (at the peak of her delicate blonde beauty) it's a very watchable film.

When it needs it, at its most noticeable braking point, appears the villain (Ennio Fantastichini, a magnificent actor) giving the story an electric shock. What a performance! one really hates the man. And Sergio Rubini, the director and main male character, is excellent in his portrayal of a humble, ungainly and low brow station manager (seeing him for the first time on the screen, his plain looks and hesitant demeanor makes one believe that he was there as a real train station manager asked to be part of the ensemble). Very good.

The heavy rain outside, the trains coming and going through the night, the banal dialog among those two lonely characters, gives one a cozy feeling of real interest for their lives and destiny. The only thing one needs when watching this movie is a box of Swiss chocolates to really have a superb time.