Post by Lavaboy on Nov 20, 2004 21:02:18 GMT -5
The Machinist is about Trevor Reznik who claims he hasn't slept in a year due to the fact that he suffers from insomnia. He is also a chain-smoking caffeine junkie, and physically he looks like a pencil thin bony anorexic. Mentally, he might be losing his sanity or is there really a plot against him by his co-workers? And who is the new guy named Ivan in the factory? Where does he fit in? How about that dead body Trevor wraps up in a carpet in the beginning of the film? Is Trevor a murderer?
There is a lot of hype going around about how Christian Bale lost 63lbs. for his role in this film. It deserves all the hype it gets since it puts even Robert DeNiro's weight gain for Raging Bull to shame. Bale went down to 120-130lbs. which is quite stunning considering that he is 6'2" tall. That would make him the tallest FEATHERweight if he were a boxer. Just to see him without his shirt on is enough to cause me to grimace. However, I hope in the future this film doesn't simply get pegged as "the film Christian Bale lost 63lbs. for". That would be a shame because there is a whole lot more to The Machinist. For instance, even if Bale did lose the weight it certainly didn't derail his acting ability one bit, but I suppose that's a given. Thankfully, Bale is supported by a handful of strong actors that included Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Michael Ironside, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and above all John Sharian. John Sharian has an incredible screen presence much like that of Lance Henriksen. He plays Ivan - the coolest sleaze bag ever. Bald, sunglasses, cowboy boots, and the toothiest evil grin I have ever seen. Despite his repulsive nature he still remains cool.
The cinematography is absolutely amazing. The color BLUE is seen everywhere. All kinds of shades of it too. The film is also very dark. All this 'blueness' and darkness adds to the draining melancholy-like mindset of Trevor as well as to the atmosphere of the film.
The Machinist was directed by Brad Anderson whose last feature length film was the equally awesome Session 9. If you have not seen Session 9 then go rent it, please. Anderson knows how to set the tone and it seems he gets the best out of his actors.
The Machinist is not a Sherlock Holmes mystery. I am saying this because I know that there are people out there who don't go with the flow, but instead choose to play a guessing game while the movie runs which causes them to miss so much. Was it the bartender? Was is the waitress? Was it Dr. Thingamajig? Sure, there are elements of mystery in The Machinist, but throw the whole 'whodunit' crap out the door and just go with the flow. That's the best way to watch The Machinist. If you take my advice the twist will not be a twist but a revelation. It also doesn't come at you at 200mph like a M. Night Shyamalan TWIST. No, the truth is revealed to the viewer in a very simply and subtle manner served on a silver platter. Due to its simplicity it should not shock you. However, it still manages to add incredible depth to the film.
Is there anything BAD about The Machinist? Yes, the score is dreadful. It sounds like something taken from an old 50's film noir. Something more modern and brooding would have worked better.
So, if you are looking for a slow-paced thriller (could be seen as a drama too) with elements of horror that's a cross between Memento and Cronenberg's Spider then check out The Machinist. Blah, check it out regardless. I highly recommend it.
8.5/10.
There is a lot of hype going around about how Christian Bale lost 63lbs. for his role in this film. It deserves all the hype it gets since it puts even Robert DeNiro's weight gain for Raging Bull to shame. Bale went down to 120-130lbs. which is quite stunning considering that he is 6'2" tall. That would make him the tallest FEATHERweight if he were a boxer. Just to see him without his shirt on is enough to cause me to grimace. However, I hope in the future this film doesn't simply get pegged as "the film Christian Bale lost 63lbs. for". That would be a shame because there is a whole lot more to The Machinist. For instance, even if Bale did lose the weight it certainly didn't derail his acting ability one bit, but I suppose that's a given. Thankfully, Bale is supported by a handful of strong actors that included Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Michael Ironside, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and above all John Sharian. John Sharian has an incredible screen presence much like that of Lance Henriksen. He plays Ivan - the coolest sleaze bag ever. Bald, sunglasses, cowboy boots, and the toothiest evil grin I have ever seen. Despite his repulsive nature he still remains cool.
The cinematography is absolutely amazing. The color BLUE is seen everywhere. All kinds of shades of it too. The film is also very dark. All this 'blueness' and darkness adds to the draining melancholy-like mindset of Trevor as well as to the atmosphere of the film.
The Machinist was directed by Brad Anderson whose last feature length film was the equally awesome Session 9. If you have not seen Session 9 then go rent it, please. Anderson knows how to set the tone and it seems he gets the best out of his actors.
The Machinist is not a Sherlock Holmes mystery. I am saying this because I know that there are people out there who don't go with the flow, but instead choose to play a guessing game while the movie runs which causes them to miss so much. Was it the bartender? Was is the waitress? Was it Dr. Thingamajig? Sure, there are elements of mystery in The Machinist, but throw the whole 'whodunit' crap out the door and just go with the flow. That's the best way to watch The Machinist. If you take my advice the twist will not be a twist but a revelation. It also doesn't come at you at 200mph like a M. Night Shyamalan TWIST. No, the truth is revealed to the viewer in a very simply and subtle manner served on a silver platter. Due to its simplicity it should not shock you. However, it still manages to add incredible depth to the film.
Is there anything BAD about The Machinist? Yes, the score is dreadful. It sounds like something taken from an old 50's film noir. Something more modern and brooding would have worked better.
So, if you are looking for a slow-paced thriller (could be seen as a drama too) with elements of horror that's a cross between Memento and Cronenberg's Spider then check out The Machinist. Blah, check it out regardless. I highly recommend it.
8.5/10.
