The Machinist
August 2005 Reviewed by: Vince Hanada Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

In this movie, Christian Bale plays Trevor Reznik, a paranoid machine-shop worker. This film is a dark and moody mystery-thriller with a Hitchcock-like feel. I found its premise intriguing but it was too predictable in the end.

Reznik hasn’t slept in over a year, and his body has deteriorated so much that he resembles a walking skeleton. At the machine shop, Reznik was once one of the guys, but as his insomnia progresses he begins to withdraw and alienate his co-workers. His fatigue causes an accident, which makes his co-workers stay away from him even more than before. Someone begins to leave Reznik cryptic Post-It notes, and he starts thinking that the accident was a setup and that someone is out to get him. The captivating theme of this movie is: what is real and what is the result of Reznik’s insomnia?

I thought Christian Bale’s performance was superb. He literally starved himself to play this role, and it showed in his skeletal body and gaunt face. After seeing him in American Psycho, Reign of Fire, and Batman Begins it is hard to believe that this is the same actor. Not only is the physical transformation stunning, Bale plays Reznik as a sympathetic, likeable character. In conflicts with his co-workers, I found myself siding with Reznik, who seemed to be incapable of evil.

Although the movie revolves primarily around Bale, the supporting cast is strong. Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Stevie, a call girl who is Reznik’s constant companion. She supports Reznik throughout the movie and begins to think of him as a boyfriend rather than a client. Aitana Sánchez-Gijón plays Maria, the coffee-shop waitress who serves as Reznik’s romantic interest. These women provide him with support and shelter as his life starts to unravel.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack on The Machinist DVD is subtle and effective. The front three channels are especially good with side-to-side pans and well-recorded music. The music helps carry the dark mood of the film. The surround speakers are used occasionally for discrete effects, but mostly provide atmosphere for each scene.

The video transfer on The Machinist DVD is also subtle. The colors are muted, almost black and white at times. Like the soundtrack, the gritty-looking video is in keeping with the darkness of the film. But in this transfer, some of the dark scenes tend to block up, becoming too indistinct.

The extras on The Machinist are sparse. Besides a commentary track by director Brad Anderson, there are only a few deleted scenes and a documentary on the making of the film.

The Machinist won’t appeal to everyone -- those with weak stomachs will find themselves often covering their eyes. Other movies that have similar themes are Identity and Fight Club, and I found both these movies more polished. Although the ending seems humdrum, The Machinist provides an evening’s worth of entertainment and is worth a rental.

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