#TIFF25: “TRAIN DREAMS” REVIEW

By Nicholas Porteous

Train Dreams is the story of Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), a guy from the early 1900s. He cuts down trees. He gets married. He has a kid. He lives a life. I’m not going to get any more specific than that because you really need to see Train Dreams to uncover its indescribable depths. It’s about the inherent richness of a long life, and the way things come together, or the way they don’t. It’s poetic, soulful, and intent on defying any pat explanation for a lifetime of experiences.

A substantial element of the beauty of Train Dreams is its gorgeous cinematography. Director Clint Bentley uses a square frame which feels consistently generous, placing the characters among their breathtaking landscapes and hand-built interiors. Full-on close-ups are rare. These people feel part of their surroundings–organic as the trees. There’s a sensual quality to Train Dreams that echoes off the screen. I often felt as though I was sitting a few feet from a warm fire, with the wind at my back, and I could practically breathe the forest air, pet the dog fur, smell the snow.

It’s a vastly more epic movie than its runtime would suggest. At a mere 1 hour 42 minutes, Train Dreams somehow achieves a perfect balance of taking its time, letting every scene breathe, while maintaining a pace that feels like life flashing before your eyes.

Edgerton gives Grainier a deep and necessary interiority. He’s not a character who tends to verbalize, but on most occasions his eyes and breath say more than words could. Felicity Jones (as Gladys) is a wonderful partner to Edgerton. Their relationship feels as fresh in the early scenes as it does lived-in as they grow their family. William H. Macy and Kerry Condon also feel fully realized, even in their relatively shorter time on screen.

Train Dreams is a bounteous, cinematic gift. Take the journey. You’ll be richer for it.

Train Dreams screens at TIFF ’25:

Wed. Sept 10 at 12:15 PM and 3:45 PM at TIFF Lightbox

Fri. Sept 12 at 12:45 PM at TIFF Lightbox