The Station Agent

Reviewed by EWAN McDONALD

(Herald rating * * * * *)

Peter Dinklage is an unlikely Hollywood movie star: he's a dwarf, above. And that's not a politically incorrect statement; it's the whole point of this absolute gem.

Finbar McBride (Dinklage) lives in New York until he inherits a derelict train station in the New Jersey countryside. It seems the perfect escape from being looked at, talked about, the winks and nudges.

But he's wrong; he will be surrounded by intrusions, usually well-intentioned, from Joe (Bobby Cannavale), who runs the fast-food truck at his gate; Olivia, the neurotic artist (Patricia Clarkson); and a likely assortment of small-town characters.

Astounding performance from Dinklage, a light and sensitive hand on the script and direction.

DVD, video rental Out now