Netflix’s Train Dreams is a textured piece of filmmaking. Adapted from a Denis Johnson’s novella by the same name, it boasts a nuanced central performance, stunning cinematography, and resonant story making it one of the best films of the year.
Off the quiet success of last year’s Sing Sing, filmmaking duo Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar pull together a beautiful film. Train Dreams unfolds less like a traditional narrative and more like a series of beautiful-rendered memories across time. Bentley and Kwedar’s long-time cinematographer, Adolpho Veloso, controls every frame of this movie. The images are rich in mood, texture, scale, and have a nature-forward sensibility akin to Terrence Malick without slipping into imitation. Veloso also makes a commanding decision to use natural light for the production, the impact of which is understated but powerful.
Natural light amidst these scenes creates an almost spiritual force to the American West. Moreover, having the film presented in a 3:2 aspect ratio works wonders here to create an intimate framing and juxtaposition to the grand scope of the landscapes. Train Dreams, simply, is one of the most beautifully shot films of the year.
The visual language of the film is beautifully complemented by Joel Edgerton’s restrained performance. The camera often observes him from a distance, allowing his physicality to communicate what words do not; reinforcing the film’s exploration on how people are shaped and distorted by the places they inhabit. The rest of the cast – Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, and William H. Macy – make the most of their respected screen time. But again, it is Joel Edgerton who is showcases some of his finest work in his career.
If there is one minor complaint about Train Dreams, it’s the usage of CGI for one of the plot beats. Some may say it’s unavoidable, but it undermined some of the work done to preserve the realness and beauty captured in camera.
Train Dreams achieves something rare; it feels spectacular without creating a spectacle. For a piece of filmmaking that is meditative, visually arresting and emotionally resonant, it cannot be missed.
