Ghostly unnerving (8/10)

Rating: 8/10 (22 November 2004)

This film stays with you long after you walk out of the theatre trying to make sense of what you've seen, what you've heard, and of what you've felt. Exactly what part of The Machinist's world actually existed and when?
Murky colors mixed into a world of someone's psyche is an unnerving thing to be a part of and rarely does it come off. But this film pulls you along and you go willingly. You knew that you were in for a completely different ride just from seeing the promos of Christian Bale and the unhealthy gaunt transfomation he made to portray Trevor Reznik; a insomniac, machinist who hasn't seen a wink of sleep in a year. We know there's got to be some shocking reason for it but we're willing to let director Brad Anderson show us when he's ready. There is a wonderful blend of cinematography and set design that really helps plunge the viewer into this opaque world which, to Trevor, becomes his own hell on earth. Roque Baños furthers the experience with a haunting musical score that varies from dark, based oboes to the surreal Theremin. The cast, some of which would have you thinking that they might be type casted into rolls, seem fresh and completely suited for the characters that they play, especially Michael Ironside and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
When a film has the ability to take me to a world that I haven't quite seen before and leave me with a feeling of despair and unease, I have to praise it. Think Hitchcock marries Jacob's Ladder and adopts the bastard son of The Sixth Sense and Se7en and you'll be on the same ward. A completely different room, but the same hospital notheless.