Perhaps that is one of his greatest film-making "tricks". Few achieve this level of film craft by seemingly just turning on a camera and pointing it at actors, and that is sometimes what it feels like - being put in the same place as real people and being able to just watch the moments unfold. Even at a relatively young age, his work points to filmmaking genius - without any reliance upon special effects or even Hitchcockian filmmaking techniques taught in film school (at least not noticeable). McCarthy's truly special filmmaking prowess was realized by many when 'Spotlight' was released in 2015 (best film of the past 25 years imo). Perhaps Tom is leaning on his days as an actor, or his unique screenwriting methods (McCarthy wrote the parts specifically for each of the three lead actors in The Station Agent), but whatever he is doing, it is working REALLY well. It's like this in every one of McCarthy films. McCarthy has a way of connecting with actors that allows their craft to rise to the occasion of the scene and the story with total buy-in, evidenced by Damon delivering one of his greatest dramatic performances. The acting was excellent - subtle, invisible, believable (certainly not a Bergman film trait). McCarthy was brave to take on this project and the film stays with you in a way I cannot recall ever feeling after seeing a movie, outside of an Ingmar Bergman film (never easy to digest). This is not a typical story you will find captured in movies. Under the surface of this story flows tragedy, and a feeling of inevitable sadness unfolds out of truth as the film progresses. Stillwater is a difficult film to watch.a film that resonates a theme that "life is brutal" cannot be confused on any level as a feel good film, although there are some moments when that is the direction it seems to be headed. McCarthy's body of work is stacking up and it is moving him into the neighborhood of all-time great film directors/screenwriters - If his only film was 'Spotlight', that would be enough, but 'Stillwater' just adds to his growing portfolio of brilliant work that also includes the endearing indie film-festival favorite 'The Station Agent'.
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