Don't bother!!
- The Machinist review by CP Customer
I was browsing the films and felt I had to write a little review on this. It was a while ago when I watched it but all I remember is that it is very slow, boring and not worth the watch.
I remember the plot being a little weird. Although Christian Bale is is a great actor, I think the film seems in a "b" category. I am a little phazed as to why he accepted the script!!
I think the end was ok as I recall but don't watch it unless you have a couple of hours you want to waste!!!
4 out of 6 members found this review helpful.
Tense, bleak, mysterious psychological drama - a man's descent into paranoia and hallucination
- The Machinist review by RP
Unlike some other reviewers I really liked this film.
It's a sparse, bare, tale of a man's descent into paranoia and hallucination following a tragic road traffic accident where the central character's guilt causes chronic insomnia, and is only relieved by a final confession [no, that's not a spoiler].
The acting is excellent - Christian Bale excels himself, including losing so much weight for the part that he appears almost skeletal.
I found it gripping - but it won't be to everyone's taste. If you're looking for a crash-bang-wallop action film or a thriller, you won't find it here (although there are some tense moments). If you're looking for a romance, then you won't find it (although the central character is involved with two (?) women). What you will find is a tense, bleak, mysterious psychological drama - and the mystery is revealed by a series of clues that are repeated and emphasised throughout the movie until the truth can no longer be denied. Although the story is different, the atmosphere of the film reminded me very much of 'Jacob's Ladder'.
Great stuff - 4/5 stars.
3 out of 4 members found this review helpful.
Bale transformed!
- The Machinist review by TB
It was shocking to learn that Bale lost 68Ibs for this role but the result, along with his incredible performance really drew you into the film and his character. The film basically depicts a man losing his mind right in front of you and is filmed in a way that makes you feel as if you're losing yours also. Until the reasons for his delusional and deteriorating state slowly play out in front of you and him for a great finish.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Memorable Physical Performance
- The Machinist review by CP Customer
From Christian Bale, the weight loss is actually horrifying. Unlike the recent Hunger where you actually see the physical issues with such a low BMI, here Anderson focuses on the mental aspect of the character. It is a very stylish thriller, with a strong supporting cast however when you look more closely you can see the cracks and shallow depth. The ending felt a little too clever for its own good.
0 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
So much more than the multiple headlines about Bale's transformation and commitment
- The Machinist review by TB
Whenever the Machinist is talked about generally, the main point is always the same: Christian Bale's transformation/weight loss. And I don't want to bypass this: it is a staggering performance and commitment to the role. Living off a cup of coffee and a can of tuna every day for months, he becomes Trevor Reznik in every way.
But this film is so much more than that. It is a very weird, idiosyncratic and creepy film, set in a dystopian world. Reznik is a machinist who slowly starts to lose his mind, the events set in motion by a traumatic event which haunts his every moment.
How much you get out of the film is how much you put into it. I read one of the other reviews saying it was too slow. This is the entire concept of the film, the slow ratcheting up of tension and confusion. I can see why for some it isn't for them, but I loved it.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
what a load of rubbish
- The Machinist review by KA
why christian bale risked his health to look like a skeleton in A film .i really dont know it was slow , laborous tedious . What a waste of time waiting to find out at the end what happened . do not waste your time on this one
0 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
Loved it despite its creepiness.
- The Machinist review by JD
I was blown out of the water with Christian Bale's weight. He must have lost 7 stone to play this role. He is so thin it is truely creepy. He looks so sick it turned my stomach. He uses this to project a truely creepy personality. This is just awesome acting with awesome dedication. The plot is a bit odd and horrorish at times but most is great suspense and totally sapping.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.
not to clever
- The Machinist review by CP Customer
a bit stretched out
0 out of 6 members found this review helpful.