Inside Train Dreams: Edgerton and Bentley Reflect on Filmmaking Journey

London, England — Actor Joel Edgerton and director Clint Bentley have opened up about their challenging journey in bringing their film Train Dreams to life. The film, adapted from Denis Johnson’s novella, explores the life of Robert Grainier, a logger in early 20th century Idaho.

According to Edgerton, pitching the film was no easy task. He described it as an ‘uphill struggle,’ admitting that studios were often hesitant. ‘You go into the meeting and say: ‘Well, it’s a movie about a guy who’s not really making choices for himself. He’s kind of pushed around by life,’’ he said.

Grainier is not your typical hero, a point Bentley emphasized. ‘He’s not a big hero,’ he noted. ‘Also, there are some supernatural elements.’ Edgerton elaborated, calling it a ‘spiritual movie’ and urging potential viewers to be patient with its pacing.

The film is steeped in the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, where Edgerton portrays the stoic logger. He described how each logging job pulls Grainier further from his family, saying, ‘I feel like I’m missing her whole life,’ in reference to his character’s relationship with his wife and infant daughter.

During an international press tour, Edgerton shared his own challenges balancing work and family life. Just arriving from LA and leaving for New York the next day, he expressed the conflict between his career and parenting, saying, ‘As privileged as I am, I still can’t reconcile my working life with my family.’

Both Edgerton and Bentley touched on the thematic elements of absence and the longing for family woven into Train Dreams. Bentley remarked on how being away from his own family impacted him, revealing, ‘If I didn’t have a family, I’d be happy living in Motel 6s for the rest of my life.’

With raves from critics and an Oscar buzz brewing, the filmmakers are beginning to reap the rewards of their hard work. Bentley noted that Train Dreams is not just a film, but a reflection of lives missing connections due to the demands of work and progress. ‘It’s a film designed to envelop you,’ he stated, capturing the film’s essence.

As Train Dreams approaches its release on Netflix, both filmmakers hope its themes resonate with audiences. Edgerton concluded, “Perhaps one day we’ll see the last analogue movie. And we won’t know that it is until it’s already been and gone.”