Veteran actor William H. Macy is generating early Oscar buzz for his supporting role in the new film Train Dreams, which recently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Adapted by the Oscar-nominated team of Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar from Denis Johnson’s 2011 novella, the film stars Joel Edgerton as Robert Grainier, a railroad worker and logger in the Pacific Northwest during the early 20th century. Bentley also directs the feature.
Macy plays Arn Peeples, a memorable character described as a philosopher, singer, and explosives specialist whom Grainier encounters on his journey. Though his screen time is brief, Macy’s performance is being highlighted as a powerful and impactful return to the big screen.
The role follows a celebrated 50-year career that includes standout performances in films like Fargo, Boogie Nights, and Pleasantville, as well as television series such as ER and a decade-long run on Shameless. An Oscar nominee with two Emmy and four Screen Actors Guild awards to his name, Macy has long been praised for his chameleonic versatility.
During an onstage interview at the Access Canada Summit in Toronto, the 75-year-old actor said he was “swept away” by the project.
Netflix will release Train Dreams in theaters on November 7 and on its streaming platform on November 21.
