Peter Dinklage is a fantastic actor that, thanks to Game of Thrones will probably never have to worry about work again for the rest of his life. But he only got where he was, honing his craft, by being smart about all the roles he chose. He avoided the fantasy elves and hobbits and the like, concentrating on less traditional/stereotypical roles for a little person actor.
But he had to get a start somewhere, so that brings me to the 2003 movie The Station Agent, his first big starring role.
Dinklage stars as Finbar McBride, a little person who really doesn’t want to deal with people, mostly because they either taunt him for his short stature or literally overlook him. He’s also a railroad enthusiast who works for a model railroad shop, living close to the store’s owner and the only person that seems to be his friend, When his boss dies, Fin is surprised to learn the old man left Fin something in the will. That would be a largely abandoned railroad station in a rural town. Fin moves in and tries to make a life for himself.
Anyone used to Dinklage’s portrayal of Tyrion Lannister may be surprised to see the quiet way Dinklage downplays this role. Fin isn’t a man who has much to say, and after years of people gawking at him or outright mocking him, he’d just assume not deal with anyone, and a rundown railroad station is a must for a man like him. However, life intervenes as he does the unthinkable: meets people who insist on befriending him, and not because they’re curious about his height. Joe (Bobby Cannavale) runs a hot dog cart near the station and is much more interested in Fin’s railroad hobby than his height, and he’s a talkative guy who won’t go away. Olivia (Patricia Clarkson) is a clumsy artist who takes it upon herself to try and make up for almost running him over. Additionally, Fin has positive interactions with local librarian Emily (Michelle Williams) and elementary school student Cleo (Raven Goodwin). Despite some third act setbacks, the movie is about a man, used to being alone, almost preferring it, finding it in himself to reach out and interact with other people.
Writer/director Tom McCarthy’s film is a quiet story about a man learning to accept friendship when it’s offered. There’s a lot of good performances here, and while it’s not flashy, it’s the sort of quiet character study that can give a talented actor a good, meaty role to sink his or her teeth into, and fortunately, Dinklage took full advantage of that. This isn’t the sort of movie where we get fireworks or even a romance. Instead, it’s one where the protagonist finds the strength to address a grade school class on trains.
Just don’t ask him about blimps.
Grade: A
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