Train Dreams – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Train Dreams – Life of Logs and Rails: A Simple Journey

The delicate movement in which we step becomes a cautious tale of what may come to past.  To endear times of solace and loss, it is this aspect of life that brings about many paths for a story to be told.  In film, if the storyteller can grip you to their own unique take, it can become truly unforgettable.  In this review, I look at the latest Netflix drama film.  Through life’s lens and a methodical directive, Train Dreams is an ethereal journey that showcases the fragile sense of what life is … and comes to be.

The story follows the life of one man who witnesses America and its changing landscape in the early 20^th century.  As things move forward, he must learn what it truly means to live a fulfilling life.  Storytelling becomes something unique to one’s own vision.  From foundational aspects to creative risks, what drives you to fall into the escape is the purpose of the drive.  There are many things that can grip us to the story, but if the intent is felt, it makes the experience more appealing.  With this film, it pushes the limits of storytelling, but leads into a thought-provoking spectrum of what life can be.  In this story, we follow Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), a man who lives a quaint life as he works seasonal job’s in Idaho in the early 20^th century.  As we follow Robert in his early life (in the first half), it is a journey built through a mixture of background narration and grounded moments.  Each scene becomes a raw sense of life and living, a complexion that revels in ominous tones of characterization and realistic prowess.  Through each scene, we witness Robert wanting to just live simple conjectures, a fulfillment that is built through random encounters that show him finding true love, starting a family and working jobs for the railroad and logging industry.  Through this unique approach, the audience has an observation like perspective where we witness life as is, moving through raw aspect of the highs and lows that happen from choice and unknown natural elements.  There is an innocence at play, one that strikes a tone of obscure beauty in the eyes of human fragility.  As Robert witnesses happiness and loss, it becomes a complexion built through scars of the moment that makes you see … the simplicity of life. 

Through that tone of simplicity, we head into a second half that adds levels of relativity to change and perspective.  As Robert slowly comes to terms with everything in his life, it is in remembrance (and some dreamlike scenes), that drives him to a sense of levity in indifference, a causality of the ever-changing world around him.  As things move and sway, new interactions and dream-like sequences add to that ‘life is’ perspective.  As things slowly lead to an end of some means, we head into a third act that brings Robert’s own journey full circle in a unique revelation climax and epilogue.  Train Dreams is a journey of what life is … and can be.  If you are a fan of character driven films, this is one for you.  For everyone else, I think this is an intriguing life journey that should not be missed.

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)