Customer Reviews

The Machinist

5 star:		(118)
4 star:		(74)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

The Machinist would probably have to be one of the creepiest and psychologically complex movies of the year. The film is also a standout because of Christian Bale's withering, and soul-destroying performance as a man wracked by insomnia, and tortured by guilt. Much has been made of Bale's dramatic weight loss and his astonishing transformation into the main character - he purportedly wanted to undergo a complete physical and mental metamorphosis - but nothing will prepare the viewer for the reality of Christian's starving, skeletal-like body. Bale is nothing short of amazing in this movie - he's an actor of astounding capacities; and it's not just the feat of his physical transformation, but the fact that he totally inhabits and becomes so totally immersed in his character.

With a beautifully moody musical score and a dark, somber, yet visually stunning look, The Machinist is riveting jigsaw puzzle, an astute intellectual exercise where the viewer is left to put the pieces together, and decide which world is actually fantasy or reality. Trevor Reznick (Bale) has terrible insomnia and hasn't slept in a year. He's decimated physically and mentally and has become irrevocably trapped in a prison that is his own guilt-ridden, paranoid, and disillusioned mind - every time he tries to close his eyes something interrupts him. As the story opens, Trevor is busy trying to dispose of a dead body; the story then jumps to the events leading up to this incident.

By day Trevor works in a factory as a machinist, and at night he zealously writes messages on post-it notes, and fanatically washes his hands with bleach. He seeks solace in his favorite hooker (played with tender resolve by Jennifer Jason Leigh), and also the company of Marie (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon), a waitress at an airport coffee shop. He enjoys her company and likes to leave her extra large tips. One afternoon while at work, Reznick - distracted for a moment - contributes to a terrible accident involving a colleague. At the same time, Ivan (John Sharian), a bald-headed figure with a horribly malformed thumb and two fingers missing and whom no one else can see, constantly follows Trevor. Increasingly paranoid, Trevor becomes convinced that Ivan and Miller, his co-worker, (Michael Ironside) have trumped up some kind of conspiracy against him and are trying to drive him mad.

The Machinist is weird and difficult. As Trevor embarks on a journey of self-awareness, the viewer is left wondering whether fatigue has robbed him of reason, or whether there is some grand scheme to drive him nutty. Brave and visually sumptuous, one of the movie's many memorable visuals occurs when Trevor takes Marie's son on a horror ride called Route 666, with terrible results for both Trevor and for the boy. Guilt, loss of self, repression and odd mother fixations are all themes that are astutely and cleverly woven into the fabric of the story. For most of the film, Reznik is just a literal bag of bones, desperately floating through empty, dark apartments, and grey, storm-ridden industrial landscapes -a kind of postmodern anti-hero, a ghost who is desperately looking to make his peace. Mike Leonard October 04.

I have to say that "The Machinist" is easily the most unsettling, disturbing and bizarre film I have seen so far this year. I mean, you can tell from reading the back of the DVD cover and seeing how disturbingly thin Christian Bale in pictures from the movie that this is not going to be a very happy time. Yet, last night I was in the mood for something dark and uncompromising. I got it and then some with this cleverly haunting film that is unforgettable.

Bale plays "Trevor Reznik," a troubled and fatigued machinist who hasn't slept for a year. He lives his life in isolation, with the few minor exceptions such as a friendly prostitute who takes a liking to him and an airport coffee shop waitress he visits every night. Things take a turn for the worst when he meets a fellow machinist for the first time... but nobody knows who this guy is. They tell Trevor that he doesn't exist. The paranoia and confusion leads to a horrific accident on the job that involves his co-worker. And that's when he gets the strange notes in his apartment. Either Trevor is completely delusional and has lost his mind... or somebody really is out to get him.

What's really intriguing about the movie is that just like Trevor, we do not know exactly what is real or what is made up. There are times when we're doubtful of what we're seeing, and then we get roped in and second-guess ourselves. The movie is a non-stop dread fest that just speaks of loneliness and paranoia, and that's why it works. It looks and feels exactly like it should. From the very first few minutes, it's easy to realize that this is going to be one unsettling and dark experience. It is one that you may want to re-watch after you see it all. You'll definitely think about it for a while after it's all said and done, but personally I didn't think it was that hard to piece together after it was over. It made sense, and it made even more sense on the second viewing. Christian Bale is fantastic in this. I can't believe he dropped down to around 100 pounds for the role. Yes, you should be warned that Bale looks EXTREMELY skinny in this... almost like a walking skeleton, as was intended in the script. I think the movie was very well written and directed.

This isn't a movie for those who get easily disturbed or freaked out. It's a pretty uneasy movie to watch. Let's just say you won't feel extremely cheerful after you get done watching this. You may want to put on something funny after you're done, otherwise you're going to have this movie stuck in your head while you try to sleep. The DVD has a little to offer in the extra features department, such as commentary from the director, a making of feature, 8 deleted scenes and the theatrical trailer.

I really enjoyed "The Machinist." It surprised me and kept me hooked from beginning to end. I have to say that I kind of missed watching dark movies like this. Seems like there's too many "cutesy-wutesy" movies for the family, so it's good to see something so brutal, so raw and so in your face like this. If you want to be disturbed and see something that isn't your typical thriller, "The Machinist" is something to put down on your list of movies to see. As depressing and dreadful as this movie can get... I'm ready to see it again. -Michael Crane

There's so much I'd like to write about this movie, but I can't. I don't want to give even the slightest bit away. Yeah, it's cheap, I know, but I saw it with pretty much a blank slate and I think that's absolutely the best way to do. You must see this movie. Then come back and read some of these reviews, like I did (some of the reviewers give away WAY too much, I felt).

This movie is a feast for all the senses. Christian Bale plays a frighteningly emaciated industrial worker lives like an apparition in a washed out, grimy world. This reminds me of Orwell's vision of postwar England as portrayed in "1984" - grim, bleak, washed-out, bleary-eyed, ephemeral and unreal, like being stuck in a perpetual hangover in an old war zone. For a while this movie was billed as a "horror" movie but it's really psychological horror that manifests itself in a few conventionally horrific ways. It does have similarities to "Sessions 9" as others have pointed out, by the same director. Internal angst and self-discovery juxtaposed against a decaying old backdrop.

This movie is like what Henry James might have written if he were alive today! The cinematography is great, the settings are excellently done and quite creepy and unsettling, even as they are familiar. And the music! The music is great, it's about time someone gave some love to the theremin again. The acting is top-notch from everyone involved, especially Christian Bale. A scene-grabber for sure.

Every facet of the movie was executed in a professionally frightening and somewhat hallucinatory manner. But don't be fooled by that term. There really is very little David Lynch and such style in this movie, in my opinion. It does more showing and less telling, yes, but it does so in a more straight-ahead approach with less cloying. If the movie has a weakness, which it may very well not, it's the ending; however, I congratulate the writers, because this was an extraordinarily difficult movie to write a conclusion to that doesn't cheat the audience or leave things too open-ended (the famous "draw your own conclusions" ending that give critics something to rave about and writers and easy out).

In conclusion, "The Machinist" deserves 5 stars on virtually every level, and as a whole. Watch it as soon as possible, I don't think you'll be disappointed, and I'd be surprised if anyone feels "cheated" like you do with some ambitious movies.

no accident that the main character's named Trevor Reznik; the filmmaker, Brad Anderson, is a fan of Nine Inch Nails, fronted by Trent Reznor: the same dark gloomy kinda thing spills over from the Nine Inch Nails music into this film, with its dark gray washed out interiors and just as dank cloudy exteriors (but they appear only when Trevor's by himself--watch how, for example, when he meets other people, like his co-worker Miller and Miller's wife, the sky is a lot clearer).

Trevor, the ever-insomniac, not only evokes Trent Reznor but also Cesare from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari--the ever-present sleepwalker. Trevor is more of a walksleeper than a sleepwalker; he hasn't copped any zees in a year (not very credible, actually; if that were really true, he'd be dead a few times over), moving around in a paranoid daze with a number of flashes of rationality, and solace provided by either a friendly hooker (Jennifer Jason Leigh) or a comely waitress (a beautiful Spanish actress whose name escapes me).

The film is uncompromising and because of that no American production company would finance it. It was paid for and shot in Barcelona, Spain--which not too many people know about--and the director did everything he could to make the Spanish exteriors and interiors look American.

Trevor is played by Christian Bale, he of the formerly smarmy demeanor in American Psycho, but here reduced by 63 pounds from his former self to the aforementioned Cesare-like walking skeleton resemblance kinda thing. Watching him without his shirt on is truly painful. Disturbing. Which, of course, is the point.

Accidents follow Trevor wherever he goes. This is the core of the film. He's also followed by his own personal demon, Ivan, who's invisible to everyone else. Ivan has a severly deformed hand, like that of a thalidomide-afflicted person, and a grin that could slice your ear off. Bald, thickset, and a Southern accent to boot. Just as creepy as Trevor. Maybe more.

So what is this film about? It's really about guilt. That's it in a nutshell. Guilt, fear, and the persistence of memory, as our friend Salvador Dali would say. Not exactly a bouncy piece of work. Not something to watch with old Aunt Millie sitting next to you, hoping for Cary Grant to come on and say something utterly and stupidly charming.

Trevor's life is grit; he works in a machine shop factory kinda thing where the workers are all union members who live life day to day and stick up for each other and resent anyone who isn't just like them. So naturally, that leaves our anti-hero out of the picture. He forgets to pay his utility bill at home and his lights go out. Post-Its keep appearing on his refrigerator with a game of Hangman he never started but there's no way of knowing who's leaving those Post-Its there. Is there?

Not only is this about guilt, but also about karma. For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction. What goes around comes around. Stuff like that. You can't escape the past. You can try...but you can't. Ever.

That's what this is about. Dark, disturbing, deranged. The three D's. Also devilish, dank, dismal, defiant.

Definitely different.

I see a number of essay-length reviews of this movie, which makes sense, as the movie is indeed deep and complex - yet for the sake of those simply seeking a concise review, I will keep it brief.

The movie has a dark and uncollected tone. Christian Bale plays Trevor Reznick, a man who is unable to sleep and who has become malnourished and emaciated. His inability to sleep causes him great trouble and leads him in and out of reality until he is brought back to the source - that which has caused his troubles and his insomnia: his guilt.

Bale gives an unbelievable performance in this film. I can't imagine it ever being worth what he did to himself physically, though. He simply starved himself for the role. You would think this would have horrible repercussions (and I'm sure it did), yet he seemed to have made a full recovery by the time he played Bruce Wayne in Batman.

Making good psychological thrillers is hard. It seems too many are so contrived now days. Since Hitchcock there've only been a few contenders to the throne, perhaps David Lynch has come closest to succeeding him. But the Machinist was definitely a pleasant surprise and a film that can take its place as one of the best in recent memory.

The film itself is very reminiscent of Jacob's Ladder, both in atmosphere and thematic elements. Both were about a man going on an inner quest to discover something important about himself and his past. Both are very disturbing films that puts the viewer in the place of the protagonist himself, allowing you to feel the same confusion and fear that they feel throughout the film.

The same also carries through to the lead actors. Tim Robbins gave perhaps his best performance of his career in Jacob's Ladder and I can say with full confidence that Christian Bale gives an equally startling and awe inspiring performance here. Much has been said about his weight loss for the movie - some 60+ pounds, down to 120-100 to where he really looks like a walking skeleton. While his physical tranformation was nothing short of extraordinary, his acting peformance equals it. Giving a great performance as Trevor Reznick - the insomnia stricken machinist who begins having one strange, possibly delusional experience after another.

The people in Trevor's life includes Stevie, a call girl, played beautifully and subtly by Jennifer Jason Leigh, a true friend and confidant to Trevor throughout the film. Marie, a waitress at a diner whom Trevor visits every night for coffee and conversation. Ivan, a strange man with a deformed hand who has just shown up at Trevor's work. Nobody even seems to know he exists besides Trevor which leads to much of Trevor's fear and confusion throughout the film. And the people at the machinery where Trevor works including his boss, Tucker, and co-worker Miller.

The atmosphere the film gives off is wonderful. Very reminiscent of Jacob's Ladder again. It's dark, grey, and haunting. There are moments where the viewer feels helpless as to what's happening to Trevor which adds to the eerie feeling. It's not an easy film to watch all of the time. As with Jacob's Ladder, there are those memorable scenes that stay with you long after it's over. Jacob's Ladder had the hospital scene, The Machinist has the carnival ride. Both work wonderfully within each film.

The thematic elements was nearly identical to Jacob's Ladder but The Machinist approached it in a completely different way (which was smart). It's hard to discuss without giving too much away, but it's safe to say that the main theme is the cause of all Trevor's problems including his insomnia and weight loss. Trevor basically goes through hell and back before he comes face to face with his (metaphorical) demons and confronts what's been causing his suffering.

When all is said and done The Machinist was a very good but not perfect film. With all the simularities to Jacob's Ladder it wasn't entirely original. The music was also a downside. It sounds like it was ripped off an old B-movie and it really detracts from the tense scenes. There's also not nearly as much depth to The Machinist as there was in other films like Jacob's Ladder or Mulholland Drive (which has seemingly endless depth and complexity) that warrant and reward many repeat viewings.

Not to say The Machinist doesn't have some depth, but there isn't enough in the film to watch it over and over. There are a few reoccuring ideas though - notice the liscense plate on Trevor's truck when he exits the tunnel after chasing Ivan and the left/right path motif from the carnival ride and near the end of the movie.

Also, the many Fight Club references made in the reviews here about this movie are highly unwarranted. These were two VERY different films other than the unsuspected endings. The themes and atmosphere were entirely different as well. If you want to find out where a large portion of this film's inspiration came from, go watch Jacob's Ladder, NOT Fight Club.

If you love psychological thrillers, The Machinist is certainly worth a rent. It's also worth seeing just for Bale's performance. It's dark and certainly not a happy movie, but sometimes that's what you're in the mood for.

"If you were any thinner, you wouldn't even exist," someone says to Trevor Reznick (Christian Bale), in Brad Anderson's "The Machinist." That quote is not an exaggeration: Trevor is six feet tall and weighs 120 pounds. He claims that he hasn't slept in a year, which is especially dangerous since he works in a factory operating heavy machinery, where appendages can abruptly find themselves devoid of a body if the equipment is not used correctly.

Something is obviously wrong with Trevor. He goes to the same airport restaurant every night for coffee and pie and a little flirting session with a cute waitress (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón). He slums around his dingy apartment and the gray-tainted industrial streets of the city with dark circles under his eyes. Everyone, from his co-workers to a prostitute (Jennifer Jason Leigh), who happens to be the only one he trusts, ask him if he's okay. "It's nothing I can't handle," Trevor says, a quote that lingers in infamy throughout the film.

Trevor's physical condition, slowly but surely, begins to wage a relentless war on his psyche, particularly when he meets a mysterious co-worker named Ivan, a man with two of his toes implanted on his fingerless hand and whom nobody else sees. This sets off a chain of events that lead Trevor to believe that there is a conspiracy against him, and that everyone is in on the plot. Either this is true and Trevor is a victim of a very cruel game or he is on the verge of losing his mind. Or maybe, just maybe, he already has.

"The Machinist" is a curious project, in that it's secrets are interconnected and seem to overlap one another. And the secrets themselves are revealed at moments where director Brad Anderson seems to be shying away from the material. This is just my guess, but "The Machinist" is probably an attempt to top "One Hour Photo," a superior film in which a man's obsession with a family nearly drives him over the edge. When you watch Brad Anderson's atmospheric creeper, you realize that Trevor gives leeway to the old saying that says you are your worst enemy.

Funny how Christian Bale dropped sixty pounds to play the role of Trevor and still managed to go through "Batman Begins" without pulling up his Batbelt. When you watch Trevor look into the mirror, all you see is a skeleton with skin, but that skeleton sure knows what he's doing. Bale apparently had to go through a lot to play this role, almost as much physical torture as Trevor endures. But watch how Bale plays his role with a no-nonsense attitude, and how he immerses his character in a nightmare that he can not wake up from.

The supporting roles are fine, Leigh as the sympathizing hooker, Sánchez-Gijón as the supportive waitress. Both women know that something is seriously wrong with Trevor, that something is plauging his mind. They want to help, but what they don't realize is that Trevor just wants their company. Still, in the end, when numerous surprises are unwrapped, the realities of the two women are redefined, and the women are revealed to have fresh meaning to Trevor's tormented mind.

Exactly what is bugging Trevor seems somewhat contrived, albeit thoroughly convincing. It takes a lot of thought to imagine the pain that Trevor experiences day-in and day-out. You can conjure at least some amount of sympathy for this poor creature who lies awake at night, counting sheep, and reaching number 1,000,000 just before the sun rises and curses him with another day of life.

Rated R; 101 minutes; Directed by Brad Anderson

In 2004, writer Scott Kosar ("The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (2003) and "The Amityville Horror" (2005) wrote a script titled "The Machinist". Director Brad Anderson (writer of "Transsiberian" and directed "Session 9' and "Happy Accidents") enjoyed Kosar's dark storyline so much but unfortunately, no American film studio was interested in picking the film up.

Fortunately, the film was picked up by Fantastic Factory of Filmax and Castelao Productions in Spain and the film known as "El Maquinista" was released and won multiple "Best Film" awards. The film although seems to take place in America was all shot in Barcelona, Spain and Director Brad Anderson who suffered a back injury during filming, directed the film while lying on a gurney.

"THE MACHINIST" would eventually gain momentum in the US and received rave reviews due to its dark storyline but most of all, the performance by Christian Bale who literally starved himself for four months going from 182 pounds down to 120 pounds.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

"THE MACHINIST" gets its High Definition treatment via 1080p on Blu-ray. The film showcases the world of Trevor Reznick in a dark, muted pallete and showcasing a brooding, dark monochromatic life that he is living. This is quite important because we know that there is something odd with Reznick and it was important to showcase the film without its vibrant colors. In fact, you'll feel that you watching a film that is focused on more of the blacks, the grays and the darker side of the color spectrum.

As for picture quality, you do see a bit of spots and speckles on some parts of the film but you will also notice that the transfer to HD also brings out the grain. Overall, this is probably one of the few films where vibrancy of colors is not what I wanted to see. And the depressing shades of darkness is what is more pronounced.

As for audio, The film is featured in English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD (Also, French and Spanish 5.1) the majority of the film is all dialogue based. Front channel, clear and understandable. The musical score by Roque Banos definitely highlights the eeriness of certain scenes of the film. There are some scenes where you do notice sound effects especially during the scenes shot at the amusement park and then at a scene that displayed thunder.

Subtitles are presented in English, English SDH, Spanish and Portuguese.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

"THE MACHINIST" comes with the following extras:

* Commentary: Audio Commentary by Director Brad Anderson - A very informative commentary by Brad Anderson as he goes into what he wanted to accomplish with the film, shooting in Barcelona, talking about the various talens and really dissecting the certain scenes. In fact, he's a brutally honest director that is not afraid to pick apart his film not for the positive but also some of the negative. Overall, informative.
* Manifesting the Machinist - (23:00) This featurette is exclusive to the Blu-ray release and is in HD. We learn more about the narrative of the film, the performance by the cast including interviews with cast and crew and more!
* The Machinist: Hiding in Plain Sight - (13:58) This featurette is exclusive to the Blu-ray release is in HD and features the major twist of the film and how they wanted to put enough twists that would fool the audience.
* The Machinist: Breaking The Rules - (25:19) This featurette from the original DVD release features interviews with writer Scott Kosar, Director Brad Anderson and the cast. We learn about how the film came about, shooting in Spain and making people think it's America and a lot of informative information of the behind-the-scenes making of the film.
* Deleted Scenes - (12:05) The following are eight deleted scenes. These are actually solid scenes that could have changed the emotional impact of the film. The deleted scenes are in standard definition.
* 1) Trevor Visits Mysterious Grave
* 2) Alternate Intersection Crosscut with Burning Paper
* 3) Pensive Trevor (Alternate Transition to Airport)
* 4) Stevie's Mysterious "John"
* 5) Alternate Chase Ending Revealing Chimneys
* 6) Trevor Tries To Skip Town
* 7) Trevor Confronts Mother at Cemetery
* 8) Alternative Version of Holding Cell
* Theatrical Trailer - (2:32) The original theatrical trailer in standard definition.

JUDGMENT CALL:

"THE MACHINIST" is one of those films that you can look at it as quite a unique story. The film is a psychological thriller that has you on the edge of your seat at times, especially when you start to explore the psyche of Trevor Reznick and the dark and dreary world that he lives in. But what made this film believable was Christian Bale and what he put himself through to making his character seem real and odd.

Before the Batman films and "Terminator Salvation", we have always learned about how intense an actor, how dedicated Christian Bale was to character role. There are not many films that have featured an actor losing weight (the last major film which an actor had to gain and lose a lot of weight was "CAST AWAY" starring Tom Hanks) but for Bale to lose so much and look quite skeletal was shocking.

Having gone down to 120 pounds from 160+ pounds in four months is shocking and the pain and inconvenience he put himself to achieve the look for this role and still wanting to go down to 100 pounds is just amazing (and gaining it back with muscle for the following year with "Batman Begins"). And also a big applause to the make up crew who made Bale's character so eery with its dark shade around the eyes, knot on his forehead and blood scars throughout his face.

As for the Blu-ray release, although this is not a film that you want to show off for its picture and audio quality, the solid commentary and even for its few Blu-ray special features definitely make this Blu-ray release worth owning. If you owned the previous DVD release and enjoy the film, I can definitely recommend going for the double dip.

Overall, this is quite an intense psychological thriller that fans of films by Alfred Hitchcock can probably give a nod to. It's cleverly written and the challenges that the cast and crew had to go through (especially trying to make Barcelona, Spain look like a town in the US) to make this film possible was well-done. It may be a bit dark and eery for some but it was a film that definitely caught me by surprise at the end.

"THE MACHINIST" is definitely recommended.

this movie is great and christian bale is awesome, although some of the other reviews are giving away to many details which will ruin the suspense for you. its best to not know what to expect with this movie.

Christian Bale is shocking to see in this film about a man who is skeleton-thin and sleepless due to mysterious causes. As his character Trevor explores the strange goings-on that threaten to close in around him, the viewer is inexorably drawn in and dragged along. Thankfully, this film has a satisfying ending which explains a lot of what went before. The Machinist is startling and well-crafted movie.