[Quick Summary: The life of beauty and heartache of Robert Grainier, a logger and railroad worker.]
Q: What's this film about?
A: It's a quiet story about beauty of the world and the passage of time. It's got a mood and atmosphere to it that's reflective, like a tone poem.
Q: That sounds boring. What makes it so special to be nominated?
A: The writing sneaks up on you, and fits perfectly with a protagonist who doesn't say a whole lot, but feels things deeply and simply.
For example, in the scene below:
- Robert lost his family early in life and was raised by foster parents.
- He experienced a lot of things, but has remained uninvolved and unconnected emotionally.
- Things changed when he meets his wife, Gladys.
- Suddenly something makes connection worthwhile and it changes him.
- This scene below is the first time he notices her, a moment of seismic importance.
- He is someone who is unused to communicating.
- Notice how the writers honed the writing to bring out the truthfulness of the moment, yet its simplicity. They chose to use voice over + drop of the gaze, in order to give the latter more meaning.
INT. METHODIST CHURCH - YEARS LATER
Grainier is in his early 30's, looking like a stray animal. Singing along to the hymns. It's a small church. Not more than two dozen in the congregation.
NARRATOR (V.O.): He felt that nothing much attracted his interest, until, that is, he met Gladys Olding.
He watches GLADYS, singing in the choir. Her voice stands apart to him.
But when she looks at him, he's too shy to hold her gaze. He looks down to his choir book.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I'm not a huge fan of voice over, but here, it's used well.
It gives context to the drop of the gaze, i.e., Robert is shy, yet really wants to connect, which is unusual for him.
Train Dreams (2025)(undated)
by Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar
Based on the book by Denis Johnson
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