THE STATION AGENT — *** 1/2 — Peter Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale, Michelle Williams, Raven Goodwin, John Slattery, Jayce Bartok, Paul Benjamin; rated R (profanity, drug use, vulgarity, violence); see "Playing at local movie theaters" for theater listings.

At times, "The Station Agent" is so low-key you almost want to check it for a pulse. But in this case, that's a good thing.

It's a nice surprise to get a film that isn't in-your-face, as so many have been this year. Instead, this is a character-driven comedy-drama that allows its audience the time to appreciate it, with as few storytelling gimmicks and as little overt exposition as possible.

Consequently, we get to know the characters and to like them before anything really happens, which gives us a tremendous emotional investment in each character. This pleasant little surprise of a movie — surely one of the most endearing and surprisingly moving films in a while — scarcely feels as long as its relatively brief 90 minutes.

The film's title refers to Finbar McBride (Peter Dinklage), or Finn, a diminutive train aficionado who's just inherited a rundown station depot from his recently deceased employer and best friend. Finn heads to the New Jersey countryside to find his new abode, where he plans to reflect on his life. He also plans to watch the trains. Such things rarely go as planned, however.

He's got a talkative neighbor, hot dog vendor Joe (Bobby Cannavale), who rarely gives him a moment's peace. Then there's Olivia (Patricia Clarkson), the deeply unhappy artist who accidentally comes close to running Finn down — twice.

First-time filmmaker Thomas McCarthy allows the comedy to develop quite naturally, coming from the characters and the situations rather than any unneeded or unrealistic plot contrivances. His dialogue is also first-rate. And McCarthy is smart enough to realize that good writing sometimes requires quiet moments, of which there are plenty.

This is also one of the better movie ensembles of late. Dinklage's delivery of his character's terse one-word responses actually recall some of Clint Eastwood's better tough-guy dialogue. Add to that yet another terrific performance from Clarkson, who's really been on a roll in a string of independent films, including "All the Real Girls" and "Far From Heaven."

The real revelation, though, is Cannavale, whose clueless but good-hearted Joe may be the most endearing character here; he's also the impetus for some of the film's best and funniest bits.

"The Station Agent" is rated R for occasional use of strong sexual profanity, simulated drug use (marijuana), use of crude sexual slang terms and brief violence (a scuffle). Running time: 88 minutes.

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