The Machinist [2004] [2005]

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-09-24 rating:
The Machinist
There was one problem with this film...Christian Bale is A MACHINE! I was so consumed by the torture he must have gone through to lose the weight for this film, I wasn't concentrating on the plot at all. I remember I enjoyed it though, but I know that's not very helpful for a review (!).

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review by: Abe Raman date: 2008-08-17 rating:
It's All a Dream
Only see this film if you are a pseud and/or you like being duped. I'd compare it to No Country for Old Men in its contempt for the intelligent viewer, and targetting of second-rate minds. But to be entirely fair, Christian Bale is very skinny in it.

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review by: date: 2008-08-03 rating:
To sleep, perchance to dream
The Machinist is a haunting study of a man's slide into delusional paranoia and obsession. Christian Bale's performance as Trevor Reznik, the eponymous machinist, is as compelling as any performance I have seen. His dedication to the role included losing so much weight that I can only hope he did so under medical supervision and that it hasn't left any long-term damage. The image of his emaciated form will stay with the viewer for some time. I can't help but wonder if he might have garnered an Oscar nomination if this movie had been a more mainstream one.

Although steeped in grimness and horror there are a few darkly comic moments here. The fact that the story revolves around a blue collar worker is a refreshing change from the more typical anti-hero. And the resolution is a satisfying and moving one which does not telegraph itself to you too far in advance.

All in all, although there are echoes of other films here, the Machinist is an impressive and original piece of independent cinema.

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review by: alimack date: 2008-07-25 rating:
Long run for a short slide
The good thing about this film are basically Christian Bale's committed physical performance, unfortunately that's about it.

The script lets him down with a shaky ending and poor dialogue. You simply don't care for him and even worse you can't tell between the imaginary and real worlds, so you are completely at a loss.
Without a sense of reality there are no consequences, and therefore no tension. The resolution is weak and fairly obvious - the film thinks it's more arty than it actually is, although it's well shot.
Furthermore the film seems to go on forever, unfortunately not in a good way.

I'd avoid personally.


review by: date: 2008-07-23 rating:
Haunting and memorable
If you like mysterious movies that make you think and appeal to your darker side, The Machinist comes highly recommended. The film's atmosphere is not only dark but unnerving, aided and abetted by a film noir-style soundtrack. Bale is excellent in the title role as Resnick, the machinist. His character is grotesquely gaunt and pale and he becomes increasingly deluded and ill as the movie progresses. The plot moves at a decent pace and there is never any lull. Who is out to get Resnick and just who is the mysterious and creepy Ivan? Well, the movie doesn't take too long to give the game away but it doesn't spoil the viewer's enjoyment of the ending. I'm normally very critical of movie endings but this one is satisfying enough and encourages you to watch it again and experience those "ah-ha!" moments. Some people have compared The Machinist to Memento for the same reason, but while I thought that movie was clever (perhaps too clever for its own good) I enjoyed The Machinist much more. A good night's viewing.

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Similar products

Equilibrium [2003]
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Memento [2000]
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Similar categories

Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Drama
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Crime, Thrillers & Mystery . All Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . DVD
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . BBFC Rating (intended_use_browse-bin) . 15
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Editions (feature_two_browse-bin) . Standard Edition
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Region(feature_browse-bin) . Region 0
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 2000 and later
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . English

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