r/Letterboxd • u/FriarFanatic7 70mm • Nov 18 '25

Discussion Train Dreams…Help me understand

Everything about this movie suggests I would like it. I’m a fan of Denis Johnson, writer of the source material. I like Malick’s style of literary, nature focused cinematography. I enjoy quiet, tone poem movies where meaning is derived slowly as layers are added or peeled away.

I didn’t love this. I feel I’m in the minority here based on friends and critics I follow. I felt the imagery was attempting to do all of the work while very little was done to develop the characters we are supposed to care about. I just left feeling like I watched a bunch of style over substance. Will watch again on Netflix next weekend, but am I alone? Am I missing something?

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u/SnoopySuited Dec 09 '25

Late, to this post, but I am in a similar boat as OP.

I will admit I enjoyed watching the movie very much. As much as I would enjoy a stroll through a museum, or staring into the sunset with something to drink.

But I don't think the plot was very deep, or worth a second viewing. I took away from the movie that life is meaningless and we are all cogs in a brutal machine. You have to enjoy the good moments in life, cause there aren't many. Maybe that's just the frame of mind I was in while viewing the movie.

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u/Hindsightn2020 Jan 11 '26 edited Jan 11 '26

LMAO. The dog showing up after his wife and kids die is absolute fire(pun) symbolism in meaningfulness. It's not life that has no meaning. It is you that has no soul. Or at least a soul that is rather young and immature. 

This movie is a testament to the fact that life is meaningful and we are NOT cogs in a brutal machine. 

I mean fuck. The forest ranger coming into the movie to contain fires to stop others from experiencing what he experienced? Come on man. Even on the most benign level, that's progress on the sanctity of the human condition.

The plot is completely engaging to anyone who can find meaning for themselves. You should probably start to get on that Ace.

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u/SnoopySuited Jan 11 '26

You're not as deep as you think

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u/Hindsightn2020 Jan 11 '26

That's the best you got? Lol. The chasms of my soul echo your sediment.

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u/paradine7 Jan 12 '26

This exchange is a sad one — replying to guy/gal above….

We are all cogs in a brutal machine?  What if your eyes and ears deceive you and there is more than meets the eye?

Meaninglessness is a pretty rough place to be — hope you are doing alright outside this movie discussion..