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 generated some awards attention. The movie really leans into 'slow cinema,' choosing to focus on feeling and atmosphere rather than a standard storyline. I always appreciate naturalistic cinematography, and this film offers exactly that—pure visual storytelling, making the most of our world’s beauty with gorgeous, still images of sunsets by rivers and cabins nestled in forests. Even though the movie feels familiar at times, and you can generally see where it's going early on, it doesn't feel boring or slow because of the incredibly evocative music and narration, which establishes a poetic feeling without becoming overwhelming. The film’s emotional core is Joel Edgerton, who gives what I consider to be his finest performance yet. It's a great illustration of understated acting—there isn't much dialogue, but he manages to convey so much emotion, sadness, and strength just through his expressions. It's a touching and uplifting story about living, loss, and perseverance, with some unexpectedly funny moments throughout. I would have liked the film to explore certain themes more thoroughly—particularly instances of significant responsibility from the main character, as well as the harsher aspects of his sorrow—but I realize that delving deeper might have conflicted with Clint Bentley’s intention for a story with minimal dialogue. Ultimately, TRAIN DREAMS demonstrates how impactful simplicity can be, showing that an understated existence is just as deserving of being seen as one filled with drama. Rating: B

Source on TMDB