The Machinist
(2004)
review by Don't Feed the Dead

Released on a limited theatrical run, the Machinist is a film that has eluded spotlight and praise much like its lead actor has for many years. However, the time has now come for people to open their eyes to a phenomenal film and incredibly talented actor in Christian Bale. The greatest amount of hype surrounding the Machinist was that Bale lost an insane amount of weight for the part of Trevor Reznick. But make no mistake, his real life metamorphesis pales in comparison to the story told by this film.

Trevor Reznick is an insomniac. He hasn't slept in over a year and is losing weight at an alarming rate, but doesn't know why. The surrounding world is causing him to make rash decisions, and this is where the film begins. Reznick is busy dumping a body wrapped in carpet into a body of water. A security guard type approaches him and asks the simple question "Who are you?" Confused, Reznick cannot answer the standard query. Enter major flashback.

Trevor works as a machinist in a shop that demands perfection and intense production rates. His shift leader is a conmplete asshole and his co-workers find him to be strange at the least. His home life is no better as he lives in solitude, confined by space that is obviously a reflection of his job - perfect and orderly. The only living factor in Trevor's life is the prostitute Stevie (Leigh) that he visits on a regular basis. Other than Stevie, Trevor is alone to deal with his problems, his delusions and the fact that he can't recall much of his past.

One day at work Trevor is interrogated by the shop owner for his mental stability. Fearing he's on drugs, the shop owner asks him for a urine sample, which sets Trevor off because he lives a clean and sober life. Trevor storms out of the shop to calm down and this is where he runs into the new employee, Ivan (Sharian). Fascinated by Ivan's personality and curious as to why he hasn't seen him around, Trevor becomes enamored with his newest acquaintance. His fondness for Ivan proves to be his ultimate unravelling, as Trevor causes an accident in the shop which claims the arm of his co-worker Miller, all because he was watching Ivan work. Now even more ostracized by his fellow co-workers, Trevor begins to tailspin as he takes blame for Miller's accident.

Like pulling pieces of glass from a fresh wound, Trevor's past begins to surface in fragments and he can't tell what is real and what is not. In his pursuit of the elusive Ivan, Trevor goes to remarkable lengths to find out about his co-worker and also who's responsible for the events unfolding in his life. The more Trevor catches up to Ivan, the more his past is revealed until it becomes too much for Trevor to handle.

Easily one of the most gripping films I have seen in some time, the Machinist is a great story of "truth and consequences". Christian Bale's performance is the best of his career, and Jennifer Jason Leigh falls nothing short of spectacular in her supporting role. Primarily focused on the development of Bale's character, one can't help but notice the character eminating from the supporting cast which raises doubts to how independent a film the Machinist really is. Every cast member plays their part to perfection and the story is conveyed to the audience without a hitch.

Although a few parts of the film are predictable, the end result of the Machinist will leave audiences slack-jawed. The full circle that Trevor Reznick runs throughout the movie is mesmerizing and I honestly did not want the film to end. I find it difficult to believe that the Machinist would receive a limited release and even get lost in the shuffle being that there is such a lull in the genre around this time of year. The acting, directing and story are incredible, and this is one title that the gen-pop won't want to miss.