The Machinist (2004) – 7.75/10 – Psychological thrill that screws with your mind
THE MACHINIST is a psychological thriller I have had on my watchlist for a few years, but I kept putting it off. The film description (“An industrial worker who hasn’t slept in a year begins to doubt his own sanity”) seemed dark, and it probably requires the right mood to watch. Christian Bale is one of my favorite modern-day actors, so I was bound to watch it at some point. After watching THE MACHINIST, I think there’s more to this movie than meets the eye. The well-written script has substance to it that offers a narrative that is unsettling, dark, and intelligent. I noticed some similarities to FIGHT CLUB and MEMENTO, but this film is its own animal.
Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) is an industrial machine operator who hasn’t slept in a year. Insomnia causes his body to dwindle to bones, hallucinations, and mistakes. He also has both physical and mental scars, showcasing his troubled past. His obsessive nature keeps his co-workers at a distance. An accident caused by Reznik pushes away any trust and camaraderie he might have had with his co-workers, isolating him further. The only people who remain are a prostitute named Stevie (Jennifer Jason-Leigh) and a waitress named Marie (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon), who is a single mother. He senses being followed by someone named Ivan and suspects his co-workers of being in on the conspiracy. To figure out what is going on, he searches for Ivan.
This film is somewhat disturbing as Reznik descends into madness, yet it keeps you captivated. Bale, known for his ‘method acting’, performs superbly, making him the perfect choice for the Reznik role. Bale, to get into character, dropped his body weight to 110 pounds for this film and it weakened him so much that he had a hard time doing the demanding physical scenes. He planned to drop to 100 pounds, but filmmakers felt it would be too dangerous. You observe a shell of his body, bones, and ribs, and his eyeballs jutting out. It’s freaky to see him walking around like that, but he is in character. The cinematography, direction, background score, and visuals create a dark, haunting atmosphere. I wasn’t too keen on the pacing, but it works for this film. I found the beginning confusing, and I didn’t connect with the characters until later. The ending also felt off, as if they sped through it. It felt reminiscent of old-style films from directors like Alfred Hitchcock.
Would I recommend this? I don’t think THE MACHINIST is a must-watch, but it leaves you on the edge of your seat as it unfolds. You cannot predict where the story is going, which makes it a thrilling experience. It’s a short film too, clocking in at under 100 minutes. If you’re a fan of Christian Bale or sensational acting, this is a film you should watch at some point. My rating is 7.75/10.
