Working Parts

The Machinist is an excellent psychological thriller. Despite getting its premiere at a high profile event like the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, the film still got somewhat buried by the hype surrounding the fact that star Christian Bale was doing the more anticipatory Batman Begins . For those that aren't bothered by some rough imagery--the movie is a must see.

Trevor Reznick (Bale) is quite literally withering away to nothing. During the day, Trevor works in a colorless industrial factory, while at night he seeks refuge in the bed of a tender prostitute, Stevie (Jennifer Jason Leigh). For reasons unknown even to Trevor, he hasn't been able to sleep for an entire year. As a consequence, he has shed over sixty pounds, making him look like a walking skeleton. After an accident at the factory costs Trevor his job, he finds himself tracking a mysterious figure that may or may not be able to provide the answers he wants. Meanwhile, he begins to connect with a pretty airport waitress, Marie (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon), who shows Trevor some much-needed sympathy. As the film builds to its climax, it becomes all too clear--just what has been tormenting Trevor all along.

Once again Christian Bale delivers an amazing performance that is even more appreciated when you consider his physical transformation wasn't done with any CGI trickery at all. At great risk and sacrifice to his own health, he took on anything that director Brad Anderson and writer Scott Kosar (2003's remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) would throw at him. The film is stylized yet very simple at the same time, allowing you to be drawn into this disturbing tale very easily. Be warned the film is quite bleak, even the way it portrays its nondescript American city locale. Unlike many of today's cookie-cutter thrillers, The Machinist actually holds a few surprising twists and turns that will keep you guessing till the end...

The DVD features a nice set of extras. I enjoyed listening to Anderson's informative audio commentary track. He offers some keen insights and backstage secrets about the film. The movie pushes the envelope and while he acknowledges that, he doesn't apologize for it. The film is perfectly paced as is, and wouldn't have benefited had the 8 deleted scenes made it into the final cut, they were still interesting to see. Heck, even "The Machinist: Breaking the Rules" featurette, goes a bit deeper than most usually do. The theatrical trailer tops off the bonus material.

Be Warned: I have seen a lot of disturbing stuff on film over the years and even I was taken aback at some of the imagery. Bale continues to prove just how good of an actor he is. From his first role in Spielberg's underated Empire Of The Sun, almost 20 years ago, through American Psycho as a serial killer, The Machinist, and Batman Begins, he finds a way to make it work. Bravo.