Film Review – Train Dreams

There have been a few attempts to bring the work of author Denis Johnson to the screen. In 1999, there was “Jesus’ Son,” and, more recently, director Claire Denis tried to do something with 2022’s “Stars at Noon.” Now there’s “Train Dreams,” which is an adaptation of a 2011 novella by the author, who attempted to create a story about memory and loss, and all the time that passes without humanity even comprehending it. It’s not material built for a cinematic interpretation, but co-writer/director Clint Bentley (“Jockey”) is up to the challenge, creating a poetic, elegiacal picture that keeps up with Johnson’s historical interests and atmospheric changes. “Train Dreams” is a specialty offering for those willing to experience a somewhat shapeless odyssey of the heart and mind, and Bentley gets it mostly right, creating a feature of deep emotion and true beauty. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com