TRAIN DREAMS (2025)

November 20, 2025

Greetings again from the darkness. Is there such thing as an ordinary life? If so, what does it look like? Writer-director Clint Bentley and co-writer Greg Kwedar have collaborated twice before – first on the underrated JOCKEY (2021), and then on SING SING (2023), the latter of which they received Oscar nominations for writing. For this latest, they have adapted the late Denis Johnson’s 2011 novella for the big screen, and the result is one of the most soulful films we’ve seen.

The story follows Robert Grainier, and evolves into a character study running cradle to grave. After a rough childhood, though not one necessarily unusual for the late 1800’s, the adult Robert is portrayed by Joel Edgerton (a career best performance). Robert is a quiet man who works as a logger. We see him on crews that clear forests, build bridges, and lay railroads for a country that is rapidly developing. His jobs during logging season take him away from home for extended periods of time. This is never an issue until he meets Gladys (Felicity Jones). These two fall deeply in love and are clearly soul mates. A terrific scene finds the giddy and hopeful couple laying rocks on a riverbank to map out the foundation of the log cabin home they are to build. The two in love become three when baby Kate arrives. Robert’s extended time away from home becomes more challenging, yet he manages since he now has a reason to return.

Although Robert rarely speaks while on jobs, narrator Will Patton and the individual scenes tell us much about him and the interesting folks he works alongside. William H Macy plays Arn Peeples, an old-timer who is not only the dynamite expert, he’s also the on-site philosopher (acting as a life mentor to Robert). Other standout supporting characters include Clifton Collins Jr as an unfortunate soul, Paul Schneider as a bad luck apostle, John Diel as one who teaches us the importance of boots nailed to a tree, and Kerry Condon as a forester who shares a sense of loss with Robert. It’s Robert’s loss that becomes the heart of the story and sticks with him for the balance of his years.

Tragedy turns Robert into a hermit, a heartbroken hermit. His titular dreams sometimes have a hallucinogenic feel as they come in flashes. Some of this revolves around his regret for not doing more to stop the mistreatment of a Chinese man, Fu Shang (Alfred Hsing) on the railroad crew. He’s haunted by that event. Of course, Robert’s other dreams take him back to childhood or recall Gladys and Kate. When it seems that Robert can’t sink any lower, a local Native American store owner named Ignatius Jack (Nathaniel Arcand) selflessly offers support, kindness, and friendship. The sequence reminds us of the humanity that exists in all of us … and that there’s a fine line between offering kindness and needing it.

This beautiful film will undoubtedly remind many of the works of Terrence Malick, mostly thanks to the connection between life and nature. One of the messages conveyed is that the deeper one loves, the more painful loneliness can be when it arrives. Life and death make up the cycle as evidenced by majestic trees being cut down to build houses and bridges. Kerry Condon’s character has the film’s best line, “The dead tree is as important as the living one.” Beauty and harsh reality are as connected as art and tragedy. Cinematographer Adolpho Veloso uses creative framing throughout the film, while composer Bryce Dessner perfectly captures the essence – with an assist from Nick Cave’s song, “Train Dreams”. For those seeking emotional depth and philosophical meanderings, this film from Clint Bentley is tough to beat. And if that’s not your thing, just enjoy the beauty of nature.

Begins streaming on Netflix on November 21, 2025

WATCH THE TRAILER

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Posted by David Ferguson

CAFE SOCIETY (2016)

July 21, 2016

cafe society Greetings again from the darkness. 80 year old Woody Allen continues to amaze with his proclivity to crank out a movie every year. With such movie abundance comes the inevitable hit and miss conversations. Of course, there are those who have never had a taste for his work and another group who have sworn off his films due to the headlines from his personal life. Still, as a filmmaker, his work is usually good for some analysis and debate.

This time out, Woody’s story is set in the 1930’s and it revolves around a young man from the Bronx who heads to Hollywood in hopes of making something of himself. Bobby (Jesse Eisenberg) is the typical on screen alter-ego for Mr. Allen and displays many of the physical and personality traits we have come to expect. It’s a perfect fit for Eisenberg. Bobby’s naivety takes a beating as he assumes a gofer job under his Uncle Phil (Steve Carell), a power broker agent to the stars. Things really get juicy when Phil directs his secretary Vonnie (Kristen Stewart) to show the local sites to Bobby. As the two youngsters grow closer, Vonnie must choose between the romantic idealism of Bobby, and the luxuries afforded by her older boyfriend (guess who??).

Allen revisits many (if not all) of his familiar themes: religion and the afterlife, misfit relationships, Los Angeles vs New York, jazz, older man/younger woman, and one of his favorites … “what’s the point?” This time he also throws in a nostalgic look at Hollywood by name-dropping some famous stars of the era, but he’s just as quick to flash his lack of respect for the movie industry and seems to compare it to the world of east coast gangsters (such as Bobby’s brother played by Corey Stoll).

This is Mr. Allen’s first digital movie, and it’s his first time to work with legendary cinematographer Vittorio Storaro (3 time Oscar winner for Apocalypse Now, Reds, The Last Emperor). The golden hue and low-level lighting provide a nostalgic feel and warmth to the scenes – even when the characters themselves aren’t so cuddly. Excellent set design and costumes add to the beautiful and classy look of the movie. As always, Allen is working with a deep cast – this one includes Sheryl Lee, Anna Camp, Parker Posey, Paul Schneider, Blake Lively, Jeannine Berlin and Ken Stott.

“Life is a comedy … written by a sadistic comedy writer.” It’s the perfect Woody Allen line and we get the feeling he actually believes it. Heard here as a somewhat emotionless narrator, Mr. Allen makes it clear that Bobby’s character (with no apparent skills) is a fish out of water in L.A, but thrives in nightclub management once he returns to the beloved NYC. Bobby’s adventure hardens the young man, while he maintains the mushy core of first love that Woody so adores. Toss in a love triangle and little respect for the women characters, and we end up with a movie that feels like a movie about Woody Allen movies.

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

April 23, 2011

 Greetings again from the darkness. Everyone loves the circus (except those who are scared of clowns). Everyone loves trains (except those who are scared of wrecks). Everyone loves performing animals (as long as they are a safe distance). Combine those elements with a best-selling novel, three popular actors and a twist on Titanic and you end up with a very watchable, though slightly mundane dramatic love story.

You are probably wondering where I came up with the Titanic reference. Allow me to explain. The story begins with an old man caught in a rain storm. We quickly find out Hal Holbrook is playing the Robert Pattinson character as an old man. Mr. Holbrook’s character corresponds to Gloria Stuart‘s character in Titanic. Both provide flashback detail to a love story engulfed in tragedy. On top of that, both have twinkly blue eyes! Paul Schneider is in the Bill Paxton role … trying his best to get the secrets of what really happened so many years ago.

 The story is based on Sara Gruen‘s best selling novel and is set in depression-soaked 1931. Jacob (Pattinson) is sitting for his Cornell veterinarian finals when he is notified of a family tragedy. He promptly sets out on the road and jumps a train. Not just any train … the Benzini Brothers Circus train! He is taken under the wing of Camel, the old timer played well by silky-voiced Jim Norton. Soon enough he is summoned to meet the circus owner. A brief meeting leads first to the order to toss Jacob off the train, but he is saved by his knowledge of animal medicine – a valuable commodity in the circus world.

Now is as good of time as any to let you know that the great Christoph Waltz plays August, the circus owner. As in his Oscar winning role for Inglourious Basterds, Waltz’ August is alternatingly charming and chilling. He is a ruthless circus owner who values no man or animal. He values only making money and his star attraction and wife, Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). Oh, and just because he values her, doesn’t mean he treats her well. He is near-psychotic when he goes off on her or anyone or anything else. Pause … then a few minutes later, he is back to his charming self. Very frightening stuff.

Of course, it’s not surprising that Jacob is enchanted with Marlena (a bareback rider) or that she returns the affection. What is surprising is that they continue to push the boundaries of good sense while within the confines of the circus group – and August. You can imagine the confrontations and situations that arise, but Marlena’s insistence that no life exists for her outside the circus is a head-scratcher.

 The story really picks up when the struggling circus purchases a performing elephant named Rosie. It didn’t take me long to figure out that Rosie may be the smartest character in the film. She is certainly the most crucial for Marlena and Jacob.

The screenplay is from Richard Gravenese who has a track record with this type of story. He was also responsible for The Horse Whisperer and Bridges of Madison County. What’s surprising is the director is Francis Lawrence, previously known for I Am Legend and Constantine. This movie has (thankfully)no resemblance to those films and his cast and crew obviously help him adjust to a more melodramatic storyline.

What I like about the film are the realistic characters and the setting. The trains, big top, circus performers and workers all seem real, as do the few circus scenes presented. Without the Christoph Waltz character and performance, this film would be truly just a run-of-the-mill dramatic love story. His element and the realistic circus life make this one worthwhile.

SEE THIS MOVIE IF:  you are fan of the circus or the book or the three lead actors OR you thought Mr. Dark from Something Wicked This Way Comes was the creepiest Ringleader ever

SKIP THIS MOVIE IF:  you can’t handle a bit of melodrama with your trip to the circus OR a performing elephant who understands Polish is just a bit too far outside the comfort zone

2 Comments | Drama | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson