I was so happy this film was on TV the other day, because I had wanted to see it for some time. The machinist is about Trevor, an
industrial worker, who has not slept in a year. His insomnia was
caused by his guilt about something he did a while ago,
which he cannot remember because his mind blocked it over time. The
lack of sleep has severely thinned his body and confused his mind. He
has become obsessive, alienated from almost all people and suspicious
that he is being chased.
This psychological thriller is dark
(literally – the colors are very dark- and metaphorically). It is
not particularly violent, since it does not revolve around abuse. It is also a mystery, and as it goes on it
keeps you engaged while you try to connect the dots, until in the last minutes of the movie the mystery is solved and the hero finally sees clearly. They
say there are many references to Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and having read
"Crime and Punishment" I would agree that Trevor reminded
me of Raskolnikov.
It's hard to believe that this film is so overlooked. It does move a tad slowly (although there are action scenes too), but maybe that
rhythm is necessary for the viewer to experience the mental situation of the hero. Actually, this movie in a faster pace would
probably be wrong. Christian Bale obviously is a very dedicated
actor. Not only did he undergo a major weight loss (the biggest
weight loss any actor has ever been through for a role), but he
conveys the hero's inner situation without overdoing it.
It is not a feel-good movie, but it
probably won't depress you either. There aren't any deeper meanings about life emerging through the story - just a psychological thriller.
Favorite line? Probably none.. this movie is more about the atmosphere than the lines.
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