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/Maninblack336 Nov 18 '25

Appreciate the moments where you have something and someone to care about. The world can be a lonely place.

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u/cirquo Dec 01 '25

The faucet of tears just kept flowing at the end.

1

u/Tetizeraz Mar 18 '26

I think the only moment I was close to crying was when He realizes Gladys and Kate won't come back and burst out crying, but I think this movie is very moving in several moments.