Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 10//22/04 Home Video 06/07/05 (DVD) MPAA Rating Rated R for violence and disturbing images, sexuality, and language Running Tim 1 hour 30 minutes Genre Suspense Directed by Brad Anderson Cast Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-gijón, John Sharian, Michael Ironside, Matthew Romero, Larry Gilliard, Anna Massey Studio Paramount Classics |
THE MACHINIST
Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) is a shadow of his
former self, and he's growing fainter right in front of
our eyes. What's eating him is not revealed to us
until late in the film. Then it all makes sense. But in
the meantime, we, the audience, must witness his
painful emaciation. And it's not a pleasant
experience. But it is an intriguing one. A catchy but
dark plot, filmed in dark, bluish tones, creates a
hauntingly addictive film.
Did I mention that Trevor suffers from severe
insomnia? He hasn't slept in a year, but he continues
to go to work and to call on a prostitute (Jennifer
Jason Leigh) who is the closest thing he has to a
friend. Insomnia is causing him some concentration
problems.
And he is seeing things that others cannot. So it is
with resolve that he attempts to get to the bottom of
his nightmare existence. Will he be able to sort
things out before it's too late?
former self, and he's growing fainter right in front of
our eyes. What's eating him is not revealed to us
until late in the film. Then it all makes sense. But in
the meantime, we, the audience, must witness his
painful emaciation. And it's not a pleasant
experience. But it is an intriguing one. A catchy but
dark plot, filmed in dark, bluish tones, creates a
hauntingly addictive film.
Did I mention that Trevor suffers from severe
insomnia? He hasn't slept in a year, but he continues
to go to work and to call on a prostitute (Jennifer
Jason Leigh) who is the closest thing he has to a
friend. Insomnia is causing him some concentration
problems.
And he is seeing things that others cannot. So it is
with resolve that he attempts to get to the bottom of
his nightmare existence. Will he be able to sort
things out before it's too late?
Mary's Comments
Director Brad Anderson has created a
study of a man's descent into a living hell.
Trevor is deteriorating right before us, and
we don't know why. Conjecture and guess
work flood our minds, but no solid
explanation is forthcoming until very late in
the story. Great movie, but dark in many
respects.
Director Brad Anderson has created a
study of a man's descent into a living hell.
Trevor is deteriorating right before us, and
we don't know why. Conjecture and guess
work flood our minds, but no solid
explanation is forthcoming until very late in
the story. Great movie, but dark in many
respects.
Brenda's Comments
Christopher Bale is startlingly believable as
Trevor Reznik, the insomniac. I read that he
lost sixty pounds before production and
during the filming. Every bone in his body is
on display. His character takes on a very
eerie demeanor as he struggles for his
sanity in spite of his sleeplessness. A very
good film that will keep you intrigued for the
duration.
Christopher Bale is startlingly believable as
Trevor Reznik, the insomniac. I read that he
lost sixty pounds before production and
during the filming. Every bone in his body is
on display. His character takes on a very
eerie demeanor as he struggles for his
sanity in spite of his sleeplessness. A very
good film that will keep you intrigued for the
duration.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan |
DVD Details
Disc Specs
Number of Discs: 1
Features:
· Audio commentary with
director Brad Anderson
· Eight deleted scenes
· "Machinist: Breaking The
Rule" making of featurette
· Theatrical trailer
Disc Specs
Number of Discs: 1
Features:
· Audio commentary with
director Brad Anderson
· Eight deleted scenes
· "Machinist: Breaking The
Rule" making of featurette
· Theatrical trailer