Review of 'Train Dreams'

In the Pacific northwest of early 20th century United States Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton) works as a labourer logging and working on building the railways. A gentle sole he is haunted by the casual murder of a Chinese worker though he finds solace in the marriage to a devoted wife Gladys (Felicity Jones) with their small child in a house they built beside a river. He spends much of the year away working but enjoys returning to his young family. His life is turned up side down when a forest fire takes their lives. Struggling to make sense of it all he finds solace in work though quickly realizes he is getting older and cannot continue.

This is a gorgeously shot film telling the calm, simple story of a man trying to find meaning in the world and finding some answers. Through his eyes we witness the taming of the “wild frontier” of the United States and the beauty of the country. Edgerton delivers a spellbinding performance as the contemplative Grainier often letting his expression and mannerisms speak for the character. The supporting cast are also quite amazing with very believable characters in stunning surroundings. The rural setting is as much a character as the actors with truly breath-taking scenery throughout with the filmmakers not afraid to slow the pace to allow us to appreciate it. The sets are as gritty and real as the characters with the turn of the century brought to life before our eyes. There are no amazingly massive set pieces, this is all human scale seen through the eyes of one man. It is incredible to experience the change he sees throughout his life with his early days as a lumberjack and building the railway to seeing in his later years a man in space on the television.

A touching and moving film about an unremarkable man trying to find his away amongst the Washington wilderness of the early 20th century. I thought I would be bored but there is something about the calm, gentle pace that matches the personality of it's star. Spellbinding and absolutely wonderful to watch. There is no amazing action sequences though several sharp incidents of violence, all the more shocking with the general quietness of the film, but it is worth just paying attention and letting it wash over you.

Rating: “I have absolutely no complaints”

Review Date: 2026-02-22

Directed by: Clint Bentley

Studio: Black Bear

Year: 2025

Length: 102 minutes

Genre: Melodrama

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29768334/