Based on the novella (of the same title) by Denis Johnson, writer/director Clint Bentley and co-writer Greg Kwedar (Sing Sing) adapt this moving and compelling story of a simple man who must constantly travel away from his family to toil for the railroad. The movie had a limited theatrical release but is now streaming on Netflix. It is a film I had the pleasure of seeing on the Paramount Theater’s big screen during this year’s Austin Film Festival, and I consider it one of the year’s best.
Joel Edgerton stars as Robert Grainier, the protagonist of this cinematic life journey. Robert and his beloved wife, Gladys (Felicity Jones), start a family and make a home in the woods, where life is mostly quiet and peaceful. To provide for his family, Grainier must leave them for extended periods to toil strenuously as a logger, chopping down trees for use in railroad tracks. Though the work is challenging, and it isn’t easy being away from his family, the pay supports his family sufficiently. As the world changes around him, Robert must also face some tragic and traumatic changes in his personal life. Nevertheless, he pushes forward, doing his best to thrive and survive.
Even though the premise of this film is somewhat simple, the filmmakers use outstanding artistry and skill to present an intimate portrait of a dedicated father and husband who must adjust to the times and confront heartbreak and loss. The gorgeous cinematography by Adolpho Veloso, the lovely score by Bryce Dessner, the eloquent narration by Will Patton (who incidentally narrated the audio version of the novella), and the incredible, nuanced performance by Joel Edgerton all contribute to making Train Dreams a beautiful and transcendent experience.
I can definitely see the influences of John Ford and early Terrence Malick here. Bentley and Kwedar have taken Denis Johnson’s story and have crafted a beautiful work of Americana art. I highly recommend watching this excellent film on a theater screen, but if that is not an option, be sure to watch it on Netflix at least. It is my favorite film of the 2025 Austin Film Festival and is currently in my top ten list of best films of the year.