I anticipated quite a bit from TRAIN DREAMS, mainly because I’d heard such positive things from people I know in film and also because it had been generating some award attention. The movie really leans into 'slow cinema,' focusing on creating an atmosphere and feeling rather than following a standard storyline. I'm drawn to films that use natural visuals, and this one offers exactly that—a purely visual experience that makes the most of our world’s beauty with gorgeous still images of sunsets by rivers and cabins nestled in forests. Although the movie feels familiar at times and its direction is apparent early on, it remains engaging because of the incredibly evocative music and narration, which establishes a poetic feel without becoming overwhelming. Joel Edgerton gives what I consider to be his finest performance yet. It’s an impressive demonstration of understated acting; there's very little dialogue, but he communicates volumes through his expressions, conveying sadness, strength, and loss. It's a poignant story about living, dying, and persevering, with unexpected moments of lightness mixed in. I would have liked to see the film explore some of its ideas more fully—particularly concerning instances where the main character is deeply involved in troubling situations, as well as the harsher aspects of his sorrow—but I realize that expanding on these points might have conflicted with Clint Bentley’s intention for a story with minimal dialogue. Ultimately, TRAIN DREAMS demonstrates how powerful a film about an understated existence can be, showing that a quiet life is just as deserving of being seen as one filled with drama. Rating: B

Source on TMDB