Train Dreams is a profoundly affecting portrait of a life. Set during the final days of the American frontier, its story may be intimate but its thematic impact is sprawling — transcendent even. This is a film that will resonate deeply in my heart and mind for years to come.
It’s a quiet film — almost deceptively simple. Before you know it, though, you’re being carried through the extraordinary beauty of a very ordinary life — the love, the hardships, the little triumphs, the grief, and all those seemingly mundane moments that end up becoming the memories we hold on to longest. The story is told with an unhurried pace, and you have to just let it all kind of wash over you to experience it fully. It truly feels as if you’re watching an entire life unfold before your eyes. Its themes are ones we can all connect with, and that’s part of what makes it one of the most moving films of the year.
One of the most underrated talents of this generation, Joel Edgerton might’ve just outdone himself here. This is arguably a career-best performance — not big or loud, but one that speaks volumes with emotional nuance. This is a man quietly weathering and experiencing life as the world shifts around him, and Edgerton will have you feeling every bit of what his character does. Felicity Jones shares a beautiful, tender chemistry with him. Their relationship is beautiful, and even through hardships, their love prevails. Will Patton’s narration is used sparingly but effectively — at times it may feel like it’s holding the viewers’ hand, but it ultimately enhances the feeling that you’re hearing a campfire story brought to life on screen.
This is certainly in the running for the most beautiful film of the year, with mesmerizing cinematography that’ll have you wanting to press pause just so you can exist in every stunning frame a little longer. The framing, the lingering shots, and every texture is so thoughtfully realized. You feel the weight of the wilderness — the vastness, the isolation, and the way the land forces its people to adapt or break. The delicate yet sweeping score surrounds you in a sea of emotions, matching the heart of the film flawlessly.
Train Dreams is a quietly triumphant meditation on life, loss, and love. It’s a reminder that everything we do in this life leaves a mark, and of the things we carry with us until we’re gone. It’s an intimate yet sprawling story, masterfully acted and gorgeously constructed. This could very well end up being the best film of the year.
Rating: ★★★★★
Review by: Benjamin Garrett