The Machinist
3/4
Starring: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, John Sharian, Michael Ironside
Rated R for Violence and Disturbing Images, Sexuality and Language
"The Machinist" is probably best described as a member of the "mindfuck" genre. It's a movie that messes with the lead character's head...and yours. Oddly enough, I was re-watching "Black Swan" earlier tonight, which is also a member of this genre. "The Machinist" isn't as good, but for those who like these kinds of movies, it's a well-spent 100 minutes.
Trevor Reznik (Bale) hasn't slept in a year. He's exhausted (obviously), and emaciated to the point where people tell him, "If you were any thinner, you wouldn't exist." Trevor is also a loner...the only people he has much contact with are Stevie (Leigh), a prostitute who loves him, and Maria (Sanchez-Gijon), the waitress goes out of his way to see. But lately, some strange things are going on. Someone is leaving cryptic Post-It notes around his apartment, there's an accident at work, and that's just the start. And who is Ivan (Sharian), a mysterious man that no one but Trevor can see?
The first thing one notices about "The Machinist" is Christian Bale. Bale is handsome and muscular, but not here. He's so thin that it's actually quite scary. He dropped his weight from 173 pounds to 110 pounds, and wanted to go down to 100 but the producers wouldn't let him out of fear for his health. The effect works, and it helps us accept the character. Still, one has to wonder if Bale crossed the line between being devoted to his craft and being psychotic.
Bale's appearance is the most striking thing about this movie, but it's not the movie's only selling point. The story is weirdly compelling and the acting is so strong that if it spends a little more time with the characters than is absolutely necessary, I didn't notice (or care). Jennifer Jason Leigh is terrific as Stevie, a more eloquent and loving prostitute than you usually find in the movies. Equally strong is Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, who has lost none of her luminosity since the other film I saw her in, "A Walk in the Clouds." She's not nearly as traditionally beautiful here, but her warmth makes her lovable. John Sharian is perfectly chilling as the mysterious Ivan, although that's all I'll say.
Brad Anderson is a talented independent filmmaker. He doesn't limit himself very much, and favors character-oriented psychological thrills. This can be seen in the terrific film "Transsiberian" and the flawed but still compelling "Session 9." Anderson has crafted a bleak thriller, he desaturates the color to the point where it's almost monochromatic, and takes his time so we can soak in the atmosphere. This isn't a happy movie, as you might imagine. But it is undeniably compelling.
Starring: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, John Sharian, Michael Ironside
Rated R for Violence and Disturbing Images, Sexuality and Language
"The Machinist" is probably best described as a member of the "mindfuck" genre. It's a movie that messes with the lead character's head...and yours. Oddly enough, I was re-watching "Black Swan" earlier tonight, which is also a member of this genre. "The Machinist" isn't as good, but for those who like these kinds of movies, it's a well-spent 100 minutes.
Trevor Reznik (Bale) hasn't slept in a year. He's exhausted (obviously), and emaciated to the point where people tell him, "If you were any thinner, you wouldn't exist." Trevor is also a loner...the only people he has much contact with are Stevie (Leigh), a prostitute who loves him, and Maria (Sanchez-Gijon), the waitress goes out of his way to see. But lately, some strange things are going on. Someone is leaving cryptic Post-It notes around his apartment, there's an accident at work, and that's just the start. And who is Ivan (Sharian), a mysterious man that no one but Trevor can see?
The first thing one notices about "The Machinist" is Christian Bale. Bale is handsome and muscular, but not here. He's so thin that it's actually quite scary. He dropped his weight from 173 pounds to 110 pounds, and wanted to go down to 100 but the producers wouldn't let him out of fear for his health. The effect works, and it helps us accept the character. Still, one has to wonder if Bale crossed the line between being devoted to his craft and being psychotic.
Bale's appearance is the most striking thing about this movie, but it's not the movie's only selling point. The story is weirdly compelling and the acting is so strong that if it spends a little more time with the characters than is absolutely necessary, I didn't notice (or care). Jennifer Jason Leigh is terrific as Stevie, a more eloquent and loving prostitute than you usually find in the movies. Equally strong is Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, who has lost none of her luminosity since the other film I saw her in, "A Walk in the Clouds." She's not nearly as traditionally beautiful here, but her warmth makes her lovable. John Sharian is perfectly chilling as the mysterious Ivan, although that's all I'll say.
Brad Anderson is a talented independent filmmaker. He doesn't limit himself very much, and favors character-oriented psychological thrills. This can be seen in the terrific film "Transsiberian" and the flawed but still compelling "Session 9." Anderson has crafted a bleak thriller, he desaturates the color to the point where it's almost monochromatic, and takes his time so we can soak in the atmosphere. This isn't a happy movie, as you might imagine. But it is undeniably compelling.
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