Joel Edgerton Delivers a Masterful Performance in Clint Bentley’s ”Train Dreams”
Clint Bentley, following his 2021 film Jockey, premiered his adaptation of Denis Johnson’s 2011 novella Train Dreams at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The film centers on the life of robert Grainier, portrayed by Joel Edgerton, a railroad logger navigating a life marked by quiet beginnings and endings.
The story unfolds at the turn of the 20th century, depicting Grainier’s work alongside fellow railroad workers, including William H. Macy, and his evolving understanding of the world through these interactions. The film highlights the impact of Grainier’s frequent absences on his family, particularly as he witnesses his daughter grow rapidly during his time away. A devastating wildfire destroys his home, and the subsequent disappearance of his wife, Felicity Jones, and daughter leaves Grainier facing profound loss.
Edgerton’s performance has been lauded as masterful,bringing “intense emotion and thoughtfulness to a very quiet,and often solitary,character.” Speaking after the film’s premiere in Park city on January 26, Edgerton explained his attraction to characters “that are not necessarily typically super proactive,” stating, “I do believe that probably a greater percentage of people in the world are moved by the world rather than move the world by their own will.” He further elaborated on the character’s internal struggle, noting, “There’s a silence to this character that I think a lot of people can relate to,” and expressing interest in portraying those who “don’t believe we have the power to change things around us and we have to absorb terrible things and find a way to move on.”
While set against the backdrop of notable American historical events – from the building of the railroad to the Apollo 8 mission – Train Dreams finds its power in the intimate portrayal of one man’s life. Bentley credits this to Johnson’s original work, describing the novella as a concise yet deeply impactful narrative that “jumps around all over the place, but yet you get to the end of it…and yet you feel like you’ve experienced an entire life.” He aimed to replicate this feeling in the film, “To try and see all these moments, and feel all these moments, and feel them gliding past like they do in our lives.”
Bentley observed that moments that seem simple at the time can later “define your life,” a sentiment resonating with the audience. train Dreams,bolstered by stunning cinematography and a score composed by Bryce Dessner of The National,ultimately serves as a poignant reminder that every life deserves to be remembered.
