REVIEW: “Train Dreams” (2025)

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Joel Edgerton is a remarkably versatile actor with a thirty-year career to prove it. He’s tackled a wide range of roles, from intense crime films like “Animal Kingdom” and unsettling thrillers like “The Gift,” to moving dramas such as “Loving.” His newest film continues this trend, showcasing a quiet, subtle performance with surprising emotional power. It’s a truly impressive showing.

Clint Bentley, who recently earned an Academy Award nomination for “Sing Sing”, directs and co-writes (with Greg Kwedar) “Train Dreams”. This film is based on an acclaimed novella by Denis Johnson, which originally appeared as a short story in The Paris Review back in 2002. Bentley skillfully brings Johnson’s poignant story to life, creating what many are calling one of the best films of the year.

As a real cinema lover, I was completely moved by “Train Dreams.” It feels like a beautiful, heartbreaking glimpse into one man’s life, showing all the happiness and sorrow that comes with it, especially as the world around him is changing so fast. It reminded me of those old stories about a wilder America, and the unsung heroes – the working men – who quietly built it. But more than that, it’s a really powerful, realistic look at one man’s life, unfolding over many years.

The story begins in the early 1900s, a time of rapid growth in the American West. We meet Robert Grainier (played by Edgerton), an ordinary logger working in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a lonely profession, and Robert is a solitary man who seems to fit right into the wild, harsh landscape. Though physically strong, he’s actually a quiet and thoughtful person who prefers to keep to himself. He doesn’t say much, but Edgerton delivers a powerful performance, revealing Robert’s inner world through subtle expressions and minimal dialogue.

Robert finds work building a long bridge for a railroad, and while the pay is good, he quickly begins to regret taking the job. He witnesses the unjust killing of a Chinese coworker, and though he wasn’t involved, the guilt of remaining silent deeply affects him. This event leads him to spend the rest of the film grappling with the question of whether our actions truly define us. After the bridge is finished, Robert leaves the railroad and returns to his previous work as a logger.

Robert’s peaceful life changes when he meets and quickly falls in love with the direct and honest Gladys (Felicity Jones). They soon marry and buy an acre of land, building a cabin beside the calm Moyie River. They have a baby girl, and Robert feels happier than he ever thought possible – he finally feels like he has a purpose. However, just as he begins to settle into family life, logging season returns, and the work increasingly takes him farther and farther from home.

Right from the start, it’s clear that director Bentley has a strong and confident vision for this story and its historical setting. His storytelling is beautifully paced and observant, with a deeply emotional quality. Even when the story becomes tragic, Bentley handles it with a delicate touch, always remaining in control. He also gets a powerful performance from Edgerton, who can convey so much with just a look.

Bentley skillfully uses visuals to express emotion and capture the unique feel of the time period. The beautiful cinematography, by Adolpho Veloso, relies on natural light and creative lens choices to create powerful images that are more than just visually appealing. Veloso’s approach, reminiscent of Terrence Malick, highlights the grandeur of the natural world, but also captures incredibly tender and personal moments. This is further enhanced by Bryce Dressner’s moving musical score.

Though Harold Edgerton’s strong, genuine performance is at the heart of the film, the supporting cast delivers equally impressive work. Jones beautifully portrays Gladys, balancing vulnerability with strength. Kerry Condon shines in a small but moving role as a forestry worker. William H. Macy steals every scene he’s in as Arn Peeples, a lively older man who prefers using dynamite to hard labor. The story is narrated with warmth by Will Patton, who also originally read the book aloud.

“Train Dreams” is a remarkable film, offering a raw and honest look at American history and our connection to the natural world. At its heart, it’s a deeply moving story about one man’s life, filled with both quiet victories and heartbreaking losses. Director Clint Bentley has created a beautifully authentic and naturalistic film, and Joel Edgerton delivers a career-defining performance. The film vividly recreates the past, feeling both rough and real, but it’s the powerful, human connections between the characters that truly resonate and leave a lasting impression.

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2025-11-19 19:58