The Machinist

I like to describe this movie as what you might expect if David Lynch and David Fincher got together to make a film noir … but Fincher wins out in the end and everything pretty much makes sense. It’s a creepy and disturbing mystery, and the style was so impressive that I’m eager to see director Brad Anderson’s Session 9. I’m reluctant to say much of anything about the plot, because it’s one of those movies that evolves effectively in it’s slow and moody manner.

I guess I can mention a few things, as much as you’re likely to see if you look up info on the movie elsewhere. Can you die from insomnia? One look at Trevor Reznik, played by Christian Bale, and it certainly seems possible. He works as a machinist in an industrial shop and hasn’t slept in a year. Strange stuff starts happening he wonders: is he involved in some evil plot, or just going insane?

Bale was excellent, and that’s beyond the incredible 60 lb weight loss he underwent for the role. You’d never believe this is the guy who will be appearing as Batman in theaters this summer. I’m looking forward to watching this again and see if it holds up upon repeated viewings, but it’s definitely worth checking out once.

Links: Official Site | IMDB | Rotten Tomatoes