Retro Film Review: The Machinist (2004)

In the early 21st Century, Hollywood seemed to have lost its ability to offer anything truly fresh or captivating to audiences. There are scant mainstream films that could be deemed original or exceptional, with The Machinist, a 2004 thriller directed by Brad Anderson, standing out as one of the rare exceptions.

The film centres on Trevor Reznik (portrayed by Christian Bale), a machine shop worker plagued by insomnia, enduring a year without sleep. While his condition doesn't impair his work performance, it manifests in a drastic weight loss and alienation from his colleagues. Bright spots in his life include Stevie (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh), a discount-offering prostitute, and Marie (portrayed by Aitana Sánchez-Gijón), a diner waitress where Trevor frequents nightly. Trevor's routine unravels following an encounter with Ivan (played by John Sharian), a menacing figure claiming to be his coworker. Ivan's presence distracts Trevor, leading to a tragic accident and the discovery of mysterious post-it notes in his apartment. Suspicion grows as Trevor believes everyone around him is part of a conspiracy.

Despite being set in an unnamed American city, The Machinist exudes a distinctly European feel. Barcelona serves as a backdrop, with numerous nods to European cultural heritage, particularly the works of Kafka and Dostoyevsky. The latter provides a crucial clue for the plot's resolution. The dark cinematography by Xavi Jiménez and Charli Jiménez creates a surreal ambiance akin to the 2001 Spanish thriller Intacto. Roque Baños' musical score, inspired by Bernard Herrmann's masterpieces for Hitchcock's films, further enhances the film's atmosphere.

The performances are stellar across the board. John Sharian, resembling Marlon Brando's Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, delivers a compelling portrayal. Jennifer Jason Leigh breathes depth into her character beyond clichés. However, it is Christian Bale who steals the show with his remarkable physical transformation, resembling teenage models and concentration camp survivors due to drastic weight loss. Bale captivates not only with his appearance but also with his acting prowess, convincingly portraying an individual's descent into madness.

On the downside, screenwriter Scott Kosar's efforts fall short in delivering an impressive plot resolution that feels simplistic and somewhat disappointing. The anticipated plot twist lacks originality, potentially leaving genre enthusiasts underwhelmed. Nevertheless, the dedication evident in The Machinist warrants recognition and recommendation. This film may even influence colloquial language by replacing "going De Niro" with "going Bale" in cinematic vocabularies.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

(Note: Original version of the review is available here.)

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