The REEL CRITIC

Author: STEPHANIE DOSCH

Fin is a dwarf. No, not the Snow White kind with six buddies and a beautiful princess to hang out with. In fact, Fin has only one friend, and when he dies at the beginning of "The Station Agent," leaving his companion an abandoned train depot in rural New Jersey, Fin (Peter Dinklage, "Elf," "Living in Oblivion") decides to go there in search of solitude.

Fin's plan is ruined by Joe (Bobby Cannavale), the chatty hotdog vendor who parks his truck in front of the depot every day. While Joe just wants someone to talk to, Fin just wants to be left alone to go on walks and look at trains, his passion. On one of his walks Fin meets Olivia (Patricia Clarkson, "Far From Heaven," "Dogville") - or rather, Olivia nearly hits him with her car (twice).

Olivia is eager to make it up to him, and though Fin is reluctant, the three slowly become friends. They have nothing in common except their shared solitude. While Joe is nursing his ill father, Olivia is coping with the loss of her son two years earlier. Each contributes something to the relationship: Joe cooks, Olivia brings Fin gifts and invites the men to her lakeside house and Fin introduces the other two to train chasing.

Other characters help Fin come out of his shell. A precocious little girl named Cleo is more curious about his hobby than his physique and invites him to speak at her school. Emily, the cute librarian (Michelle Williams), also takes an interest in Fin, and the two bond over her jerk boyfriend.

"The Station Agent" is touching and funny without being cheesy or clichéd. This is not only due to the story, but also very much because of the superb acting. Bobby Cannevale delivers a great performance as the simultaneously friendly and needy Cuban, and Particia Clarkson is superb as the grieving artist. But it is really Peter Dinklage who, despite his stature, steals the show. With his brooding demeanor and deep, powerful voice, his presence is clearly felt.

The movie was a huge hit at Sundance, winning awards for best emerging actor (Cannevale), screenplay and performance (Clarkson), and the Audience Award for Best Drama, along with a multitude of awards and nominations from other organizations. It was also highly critically acclaimed, with over 50 critics across the country hailing as one of the top films of 2003.

Watching the three disparate characters come together and learn that even solitude and isolation are better shared is a true pleasure.

"The Station Agent" is this week's Hirschfield film, and will be showing in Dana Auditorium Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 pm.