Dilorenzo
09-05-2005, 11:04 PM
The Machinist (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361862/)
This is a bit of a hard review to write. Do I say too much and give important points away, or do I say too little and leave everyone confused. Well, let's just go at it and see how it goes.
The first thing, and I do mean the very first thing that strikes you about this film is Christian Bale. His gaunt, skeletal appearance is a shock, even if you've seen pictures of him before-hand. There's something very... spooky about a man that thin moving around. He looks unwell, darkened eyes, haunted look. In short, you can tell straight away that Trevor Reznik is a man on the edge.
The story is an almost perfect work of art. But, somehow, it's flaws make it all the more beautiful. It's not that there are plotholes per say, but more that most people, by the halfway point in the movie, will have an idea, at least, of where it's heading. The important thing to note here is that it's worth sticking with Trevor for the ride. Despite his madness, his unlikable points, you want to know what happens to him- all due to a great script and Bale on top form.
Another thing that will keep you watching is the undeniable style of this movie. Yeah, it's a twisted, blackened style, but a style nonetheless. The few moments of levity to be had are in daylight, but most of the film is shown in the dark, hiding in the shadows almost. A constant theme of left and right is shown- each path leading to a different ending, each choice making or breaking the man, as it were.
If I say anything else, I'll just ruin the suspense. I'll end by saying that this isn't a film for everyone, and it's certainly not a film to watch if you're in the wrong mood.
Surmise: Dark, moody, brooding; a thought provoking piece of cinema, beautifully filmed and acted, and doesn't drag on longer than it needs to. 4/5 stars.
This is a bit of a hard review to write. Do I say too much and give important points away, or do I say too little and leave everyone confused. Well, let's just go at it and see how it goes.
The first thing, and I do mean the very first thing that strikes you about this film is Christian Bale. His gaunt, skeletal appearance is a shock, even if you've seen pictures of him before-hand. There's something very... spooky about a man that thin moving around. He looks unwell, darkened eyes, haunted look. In short, you can tell straight away that Trevor Reznik is a man on the edge.
The story is an almost perfect work of art. But, somehow, it's flaws make it all the more beautiful. It's not that there are plotholes per say, but more that most people, by the halfway point in the movie, will have an idea, at least, of where it's heading. The important thing to note here is that it's worth sticking with Trevor for the ride. Despite his madness, his unlikable points, you want to know what happens to him- all due to a great script and Bale on top form.
Another thing that will keep you watching is the undeniable style of this movie. Yeah, it's a twisted, blackened style, but a style nonetheless. The few moments of levity to be had are in daylight, but most of the film is shown in the dark, hiding in the shadows almost. A constant theme of left and right is shown- each path leading to a different ending, each choice making or breaking the man, as it were.
If I say anything else, I'll just ruin the suspense. I'll end by saying that this isn't a film for everyone, and it's certainly not a film to watch if you're in the wrong mood.
Surmise: Dark, moody, brooding; a thought provoking piece of cinema, beautifully filmed and acted, and doesn't drag on longer than it needs to. 4/5 stars.