The Machinist
(Paramount Region 1 NTSC DVD)
(2004)
review by Head Cheeze

I hate reviewing films like The Machinist; critiquing this movie is like treading through a literary minefield in which every misstep threatens to blow the film’s twist. I remember when, following the release of The Sixth Sense, a handful of critics stumbled and alluded to the Bruce Willis’ character’s decidedly non-corporeal state, essentially killing that one-trick pony for anyone able to “read between the lines”. While The Machinist’s denouement isn’t quite as shocking, it is worth protecting, as the overall effect of the film somewhat hinges on it.

Christian Bale, slimmed down to literally skin and bone, stars as Trevor Reznik, a ghost of a man who hasn’t slept in a year, and whose life has become something of a waking nightmare. Trevor’s friends and co-workers have distanced themselves from the increasingly eccentric machinist, and the only people he has any meaningful connection to are the ones whose company he pays for, including a prostitute named Stevie (Leigh), and an airport coffee shop waitress, Marie (Sanchez-Gijon). Trevor splits his time between these women, each of whom fulfills a specific need. With Stevie, the need is an obvious one; sex, comfort, and the feel of a warm body next to his own. However with Marie, the need is a bit of a mystery. He sees something in this beautiful waitress who logs long, late hours at the desolate airport. He listens to the stories of her son, and the hardships of single motherhood. He tips her more than he should, and drives out of his way to be there night after night, but he’s not sure why.

The only thing Trevor is sure of is the fact that Ivan, the new chrome-domed, toes-for-thumbs welder is out to get him, and someone put him up to it. The guys at work, they pretend they don’t know Ivan, but Trevor knows better; after all, it was Trevor’s negligence that lead to Miller (Ironside) losing his arm, and the guys at the factory, they won’t forget that. They won’t be happy until Trevor loses his job, or worse. And, with every bad thing that happens to him, Trevor sees Ivan, parked down the road in his shiny red muscle car, watching, waiting, and inviting Trevor to follow.

But what will happen when he finally catches up to him?

Thick with tension and an ugly and oppressive atmosphere, The Machinist is one of those films that are uncomfortable to watch, not because it’s particularly disturbing (although Bale’s emaciated physique is a truly horrific sight), or violent but simply because you can’t bear to see what happens next. Bale plays Reznik with a sort of goofy quasi-charm, making him an affable, clumsy, and mildly feeble protagonist. It’s this vulnerable quality that helps us identify with the character, making him a very real player in an increasingly surreal game. And, while the conclusion doesn’t quite live up to the build-up, it is Bale’s powerful performance that makes the trip worthwhile.

Director Brad Anderson paints Reznik’s world in washed-out green, grey, silver and black, with a sky that always seems to hint at a coming storm, and the only vibrant colours reserved for images meant to trigger an emotional response; the angry red of Ivan’s car, the warm yellow glow of Stevie’s bed. The film is also fraught with symbolism that, when the mystery is revealed, will have many watching the film again to make sense of it all (although the conclusion is about as straightforward as you can get).
The DVD from Paramount features a feature-length commentary by Brad Anderson, deleted scenes, and a brief making-of featurette, and the obligatory trailer. It’s not a loaded affair, but Anderson does a capable job of answering any questions one would have about the film in his commentary.

While I enjoyed The Machinist, I was a bit let down by its somewhat pedestrian conclusion. Still, getting to that conclusion is loads of twisted fun, and Christian Bale turns in one of the better performances of his career, here, so this is one that is well worth a look.