Film Review: ‘Train Dreams’ is a Gorgeous and Quietly Devastating Meditation on America Seen Through the Eyes of a Simple Man

Sometimes, you have no way of knowing how a film will affect you. Train Dreams is, all told, not a depressing movie, and yet, when the credits rolled, I found myself deeply sad. Something about the deceptively simple story of one man leading a life of unexpected depth had me deep in my emotions. Was I said because his story was over? Was I bereft at the thought that my own life might not have the meaning I want it to have? That all remains elusive, as the experience wasn’t about pinpointing why I felt how I felt. Train Dreams is a movie that doesn’t tell you how to feel. However, it does ask you to feel, whatever that entails. In that regard, it’s wildly successful, as much as any other bit of cinema this year.

Train Dreams has a quiet power to it that sneaks up on you. In some ways, it’s an interesting companion piece to The Life of Chuck from earlier this year. Both flicks are about the extraordinary nature of an ordinary life, though tackling things, aside from a notable voice as narrator, in very different manners. Still, I think The Life of Chuck is a masterpiece and likely the crowning achievement of 2025, so to put this work on a similar level is high praise, indeed.

The film depicts the life of an ordinary man in early 20th century America, as narrated by an unseen voice (Will Patton). Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), was orphaned at a young age, never knowing his own family. Childhood is hard for him, though Robert grows up into a more than respectable adult. Working manual labor jobs all around the forests of the Pacific Northwest, he sees change everywhere. As he helps to expand the nation’s growing railroad system, he works alongside men who make impression after impression upon him, few more so than explosives expert Arn Peeples (William H. Macy).

A rare bit of sunshine in his life comes by way of Gladys (Felicity Jones), a woman he meets, courts, and marries. Building a home together, they welcome a daughter, though Robert doesn’t spend nearly the amount of time with them that he’d like, as his work often takes him far away from the women he loves. The years pass, and when life takes an unexpected turn for him, the quiet man grows even quieter. It’s at that point in his life that Robert begins to really find newfound meaning in the trees and forests of his days and nights. More people pass through his life, including Claire Thompson (Kerry Condon), though it’s often just Robert and his thoughts, along with the tender narration. Through it all, America and the march of progress just rolls on.

Joel Edgerton has, give or take Warrior, never been better than he is here, inhabiting a quiet character with so much humanity. There’s a sturdiness to him that would beget a harder figure than he makes Robert. Instead, Edgerton finds the soul of the man, in both happy and sad times. It’s a wonderful performance, the kind almost destined to be under-appreciated. Felicity Jones is good as well, displaying a tenderness with Edgerton that the film really feeds on. In smaller parts that linger well beyond their time on screen, William H. Macy and especially Kerry Condon shine. In addition to Will Patton’s perfect narration, supporting players here include Clifton Collins Jr., Paul Schneider, and more.

Filmmaker Clint Bentley, co-writing again with filmmaker in his own right Greg Kwedar, directs this with a quiet confidence that adds so much life to the story. Bentley and Kwedar have a great working relationship, collaborating here, as well as last year with Sing Sing (which Kwedar helmed), and Jockey previously (directed by Bentley). Here, they take Denis Johnson‘s novella and finds the cinematic voice within. The score by composer Bryce Dessner pairs perfectly with the visuals from cinematographer Adolpho Veloso to tell the story with all the soul required. The final shots of Train Dreams are just perfection and will stay with you. Plus, at barely over 100 minutes, there’s an economy to the storytelling that’s incredibly admirable, while still tackling big themes. The movie does not overstay its welcome, that’s for sure, even as there’s lots to say about America, life, and the meaning of both.

Train Dreams moved me far more than I expected it to. I still can’t quite put my finger on what it’s doing that knocked me back like it did, but that’s the nature of great cinema. Sometimes, a film can hit you in a way you don’t even understand. This is one such example. Few movies this year are quieter than this one, though few have as loud an impact on your heart and soul.

SCORE: ★★★1/2