When it boils right down to it, The Machinist is a movie about a man and his guilt . . . and guilt can really effect a man . . .
Trevor Reznik (an emaciated Christian Bale) is a man who has not slept for a year. He has the worst case of insomnia (and possibly anorexia) I have ever witnessed on film. He has become obsessed with Post-It notes, hand washing and big tipping. But why?
The Machinist brings you into the world of a man wracked by guilt who is trying every which way to find solace from that guilt. Unfortunately, after a year of no sleep and barely any sustenance your mind begins to play tricks on you. Enter Ivan (John Sharian) who Reznik begins to blame all his troubles on. But who really is to blame? As we piggyback Reznik through a maze of industrial mishaps, bizarre new friendships, paranoid delusions and ultimately the facing of his truth you can't help but feel for him.
Visually, The Machinist really keeps to the industrial side. It gave me the feeling of a crazy ride full of sharp jerky corners, each turn leading you down a stranger and stranger tunnel of horrors of the mind. The film also had great character and plot development and though it moved a little slowly, it wasn't painfully slow. I think the speed of the film was really for effect. It was as if we were moving through the film as though we were also living in the fog of insomnia and malnutrition.
I want to mention Stevie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), the whore whose company Reznik keeps as a pretty decent supporting character. Also, Miller (Michael Ironside) who is the unfortunate beneficiary of one of Reznik's first spottings of Ivan plays his part very well. Marie (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon) and Nicholas (Matthew Romero) also play a big role in Reznik's guilt ridden mind. Oh and by the by, when you see Ivan smiling - watch out!
Absolutely, The Machinist is a film I would recommend. Especially for fans of Memento - which by the way if you have not seen you should. It left me both amazed and frightened at what the mind can do when reeling from its own pain.
The Machinist Movie Cast and Credits
Directed by
Brad Anderson
Writing credits (WGA)
Scott Kosar (written by)
Cast (in credits order)
Christian Bale .... Trevor Reznik
Jennifer Jason Leigh .... Stevie
Aitana Sánchez-Gijón .... Marie
John Sharian .... Ivan
Michael Ironside .... Miller
Larry Gilliard Jr. .... Jackson (as Larry Gilliard)
Reg E. Cathey .... Jones
Anna Massey .... Mrs. Shrike
Matthew Romero Moore .... Nicholas (as Matthew Romero)
Robert Long .... Supervisor Furman
Colin Stinton .... Inspector Rogers
Craig Stevenson .... Tucker
Ferrán Lahoz .... Gonzales (as Ferran Lahoz)
Jeremy Xidu .... Evangelisti
Norman Bell .... DMV Clerk
Nancy Crane .... Waitress
Richard Torrington .... Radiologist
Buffy Davis .... Marge
Reg Wilson .... Bartender
Ramon Camin .... Detective
Christopher Hood .... Drunk
Marc Aspinall .... Inspector Daniels
Guillermo Ayesa .... Old Fisherman
Daniel Ceren .... Pedestrian
Marta Rubio .... Woman in Crowd
Ewan Watson .... Man in Crowd
Chike Johnson .... Young Policeman
Molly Malcom .... Ticket Agent
Jaume Mimo .... Man in Stall
Flora Alvarez .... Woman in Stall
More The Machinist Movie Reviews
The Machinist Movie Reviews at Rotten TomatoesThe Machinist Movie Review from Stylus Magazine
