After missing the one-night engagement Train Dreams had in theaters in Seattle as part of the Seattle Film Critics Society PNW Awards, my hopes were that the film would be good but not so good that I would regret missing my chance to see it on the big screen. At least one of my wishes was granted.

Based on a Denis Johnson novella, writer/ director Clint Bentley along with co-writer Greg Kwedar adapt Johnson’s work of the same name in a way that is both visually arresting while still capturing the prose that is often relegated exclusively to the written word. Some of these prose-like feelings come from implementing Will Patton as a voiceover narrator. While I generally feel like voiceover is a cheap distraction from a movie used to cover up holes in the screenplay, it works well for Train Dreams which is approximating a visual poem more than a traditional movie.

Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton) is a quiet man working as a laborer in the Pacific Northwest in the early 1900s. He takes seasonal work building infrastructures and logging where he meets other men who have a profound impact on his beliefs and outlook on life, though he remains largely solitary. During an off season, his isolation is broken when he meets and falls instantly in love with Gladys (Felicity Jones). Together they build a home outside of town and upon having a child, Kate, live a life full of meaning and love together. However, with minimal paid opportunities in town, Robert does have to leave Gladys and Kate for long periods of time during logging season to provide for them until they can save enough money to build a small business of their own on their acre. After one of his long absences working, he arrives to find his home burned to the ground and his family missing. Reverting to his isolationist tendencies, Robert struggles to find his meaning in life once again.

While the cinematography, direction, score, and editing all play a significant part in creating the ethereal state that Train Dreams exists in, the performance by Edgerton is what creates such an emotional experience. Edgerton taps into the meekness of Robert in his acting. He feels no need to speak to fill the empty spaces but instead takes time to listen and process what he has heard. Wordless looks and subtle facial movements just barely noticeable through the scraggly facial hair expose the soul of the character, showing his gentleness and astuteness.

Edgerton’s career best performance is still further enhanced by Bentley’s handling of tone and pacing to create a film that feels at place in the beautiful Washington woods where it was shot. Train Dreams deserves to be appreciated as one appreciates the nature in which it is set. By immersing oneself into it and absorbing it with no outside distractions, just accepting the peace that it brings.