Review: Train Dreams

Official Synopsis: Based on Denis Johnson's beloved novella, Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), a logger and railroad worker who leads a life of unexpected depth and beauty in the rapidly-changing America of the early 20th Century.

I heard great things about Train Dreams leading up to its premiere on Netflix last weekend. Joel Edgerton gives us a very quiet yet emotionally complex performance. A lot is happening around Robert Grainer. Not always *to* him, but he bears witness to a number of things that range from beautiful to completely horrific. And he doesn't always know how to react to them. 

This is the type of movie that I think is going to hit differently for everyone. Some are going to be incredibly moved by it. It will speak to them in a specific way, and others will be left feeling cold. I was unfortunately one of the latter. I wanted so badly to like this, but I grew frustrated with how depressing everything about Grainer's life became. It's a stark contrast to the gorgeous cinematography in this film. I'm telling you, the coloring is stunning. The forests look so beautiful and vibrant it made me wish it was hiking season in my neck of the woods. 

I just felt like we never really got to know anyone. Even Grainer, we know he's a husband and father, and despite having a narrator to occasionally share his thoughts, we don't learn much about him at all. You can also tell director Clint Bentley took heavy inspiration from Terrance Malick's work, and I wonder if that's another reason I couldn't connect for it. On a side note, whoever found the baby actor needs to be nominated for the Best Casting Oscar immediately because wow what a find. So adorable and talkative. 

Because it's streaming on Netflix, I still think it is worth the watch, even if it didn't make me feel much. Maybe it will speak directly to you. I hope it does.

Grade: C+