Train Dreams
At the turn of the twentieth century, orphan Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton) was put on a train to Idaho at the age of six or seven. He never knew a thing about his parents, but grew up working hard, keeping to himself until he was approached by Gladys (Felicity Jones) at a church he'd gone to for the first time. The two married, built a cabin by a stream and had a baby girl, Katie, but Robert's life was split in two, the man having to spend long periods away working as a logger where he gloried in the wonders of nature and met men, both good and evil. They all would haunt his "Train Dreams."
Laura's Review: A
Every now and then along comes a piece of cinema with so much soul it moves you to your very core. Such is the case with Greg Kwedar and Chris Bentley's latest, the team who write together and switch off on directing duties (Bentley directed "Jockey" and this one while Kwedar directed "Sing Sing" with then both adapting Denis Johnson's novella). In telling the story of one seemingly ordinary man's life, "Train Dreams" encompasses not only a period which saw vast changes in technology and the American landscape, but comes close to defining that elusive mystery of existence.
After several stints with logging crews that enjoy easy camaraderie, Robert takes a job building the Robinson Gorge Bridge for Spokane International and is horrified when, one day, several men drag his coworker, Fu Sheng (Alfred Hsing), up to its foundation and throw him off, Robert's queries of 'what has he done?' going unanswered, the man feeling guilt for not having done more to prevent Sheng's murder. Robert never again works for a railroad and an accusatory looking Fu Sheng will haunt him. But there is joy when he returns home, Katie grown from babe to toddler, his wife proving her talents shooting game and fashioning a fish trap, the money he earns fueling future dreams of starting their own saw mill. The couple enjoy candlelit dinners with the special bottles Robert's brought home, romance never fading between these two.
We'll meet the most memorable men on his next logging trip. Apostle Frank (Paul Schneider) never stops talking about the Bible, until, that is, Elijah Brown (Brandon Lindsay) approaches looking for a Buckeye Sam. When Frank up and runs, Brown shoots the man, explaining that Frank killed his brother because of the color of his skin and if anyone has a problem with what he's done to speak up. No one does. Then there is explosives expert Arn Peeples (William H. Macy), whose singing at night annoy all but Richard and whose words about the age and wisdom of the trees they're cutting down move him. And when three men are killed in an accident, Billy (John Diehl) will nail a pair of one of their boots to a tree at their burial site before all return to work. (Kwedar and Bentley will highlight boots three times, the first when a young Richard gives a doomed man ("Jockey" star Clifton Collins Jr.) in the woods with a broken leg a drink from one, foreshadowing another, more mysterious event in Richard's future.)
Robert, who's been convinced something bad is following him ever since the horrific death of Fu Sheng, will indeed face unimaginable tragedy, one which causes him to retreat from life, but the kindness of local Native American merchant Ignatius Jack (Nathaniel Arcand) and the curious arrival of a small red dog and her pups helps to pull him back from the brink (the film is reminiscent of "Jeremiah Johnson" here). There are moments of nostalgia, such as running into Billy after years before a sad realization, and of profound communion with strangers, a job picking up the new forest lookout, Claire Thompson (Kerry Condon), unveiling shared experience as they gaze upon a renewed landscape from high atop her observation tower. As Richard ages, he takes train trips into Spokane, where his experiences range from movies to a 1940's style tent show to watching a man in space on a television in a storefront window. Times have changed and so has Richard, the man, influenced by so many people along the way, finding peace like his old friend Arn.
Edgerton creates a quiet, deeply empathetic man who blossoms in intimate contact, the actor's face expressing a range of emotions. Felicity Jones is perfection as the woman whose past hints at wealth (aided by costume selections) but who unequivocally stakes her future on Robert. William H. Macy hasn't had a cinematic opportunity like this in some time and the actor's contribution cannot be understated, acting as a folky spiritual guide with deep wisdom. Arcand is another quiet presence, emanating kindness. Will Patton's measured narration gives the film historical perspective.
Cinematographer Adolpho Veloso ("Jockey") embraces nature, frequently dwarfing Edgerton low in the 3:2 aspect ratio frame, familial scenes shot during magic light hours, natural light a constant. Composer Bryce Dessner's ("We Live in Time") score, a mix of sad violin and uplifting piano, is the perfect accompaniment. "Train Dreams" is the movie "The Life of Chuck" attempted to be, an affecting account of one man's life radiating out into the universe.
Robin's Review: A
Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), a logger and railroad worker in the Pacific Northwest, lives the life of a hermit. Then he meets his soul mate, Gladys (Felicity Jones), and they fall deeply in love and have a baby, Katie. It is an idyllic life for the tiny family but his work frequently takes him away from home for long periods. Then, tragedy strikes in “Train Dreams.”
Sophomore feature film director and co-scribe Clint Bentley (sharing writing credits with Denis Johnson (from his novella) and Greg Cedar), has created a near-masterpiece with an incredible character study by Joel Edgerton of love and loneliness. My first reaction after watching this lovingly rendered film was “That was beautiful.” In retrospect, it is, definitely.
Edgerton gives a career-finest performance as a taciturn man used to keeping to himself. Then, Gladys enters his life and a new man is born. His transformation is very subtle but also quite palpable as we watch the interplay between Robert and Gladys and they are deeply in love.
But, as said, his work takes him away from home, hearth and his honeys. The interludes at the logging camps and railroads bring out a host of characters, including Arn Peeples (William H. Macy), a philosopher and dynamite expert, Ignatius Jack (Nathaniel Arcand), a Native American merchant and Robert’s friend and Apostle Frank (Paul Schneider).
There is also a supernatural element after Robert’s witnessing the murder of an Asian rail worker (Alfred Hsing) for supposed theft. The dead man keeps appearing before Robert, making you wonder if he is a hallucination or a ghost. This also comes into play after the tragedy when he helps a young feral woman who broke her leg. You have to see the film to get the subtle meaning.
While Robert is the central character, Felicity Jones embodies his true love, Gladys, and the joy between them, however fleeting, is honest and pure. Kerry Condon, as forest ranger Claire Thompson, is another strong woman who comes into his life but in a different way.
While the story and acting are first-rate and the main draw, every other aspect of the film is also superb. The Pacific Northwest and its stark beauty and the use of magic hour lighting help cinematographer Adolpho Veloso create a real, ethereal character of location. Music, by Bryce Dessner, captures the majesty of this locale, too.
It is, as I said, a beautiful film
Netflix releases "Train Dreams" in theaters on 11/7/25. It begins streaming on 11/21/25.
