This movie is one of the most fabulous character studies on film in recent memory in my opinion. I found the characters to be will written and the story to be entertaining. In fact when the movie was over I was upset thinking it was too short and then I realized that this movie was so engaging that I didn't want it to end. This is a must see movie, end of story.

The movie is about a dwarf named Fin (Peter Dinklage-Elf,) who inherits an acre of land in a small corner of New Jersey that has an old train station stop. In Hoboken New Jersey, Fin worked in a model train store with Henry (Paul Benjamin,) and right away you can tell how much he hates his life. Within the first five minutes of being introduced to Fin, we see him subjected to jokes about his size by kids and adults and blind stares by people who do not mean any harm. Henry dies and leaves Fin the property in Newfoundland, New Jersey. When Fin finds out that the place is a widespot in the road, his bags are packed and he's headed for isolation.

Once there Fin meets two people, Joe (Bobby Cannavale-The Bone Collector,) who is selling coffee and hot dogs in the parking lot of the old station, and Olivia (Patricia Clarkson-The Untouchables, The Dead Pool,) who is an artist who moved out of the city and divorced her husband because she is not able to cope with the death of her son. So begins a story that involves the three of them and their journey to friendship.

The film is amazing. I enjoyed watching the characters try to fight their demons, and Joe's lack of one, and try to get along with each other. Dinklage does a great job as Fin, a person who is angry at the world and himself for being a dwarf. You can see him lose his anger as he gets to know these two people even though some things are still happening. He does have a minor set back when he tries to defend a young girl, Emily (Michelle Williams - Halloween H2O, Dick,) from being attacked from her abusive boyfriend. You can see the anger in his face at himself for his "apparent inadequacies." Yet he fights through and saves Olivia's life and develops a stronger friendship with her as well as Joe.

This film is directed and written by first time director/screenwriter Thomas McCarthy who has acted in Meet the parents, and Boston Public. He does a wonderful job and left me wanting more.

I was thinking that this movie should get some Oscar consideration but this movie came out in 2003 and slipped under the radar. But no one should miss this movie. Watch it and you will have a better understanding on life.

Brian - the Naked Gun