One word... "cult"!

Rating: 10/10 (22 September 2007)

Whilst it should be forgiven for being reliant on modern narrative clichés, the Machinist is a magnificent rendering of guilt, emasculation and paranoia. Anderson utilises an uncomplicated Hitchcockian approach to his film-making with uses of bleak imagery, abstract characters (Bales emasculating performance is award worthy) and nostalgic compositions to create a film that fully deserves its cult status among contemporary culture. Its intellectual approach will leave you questioning aspects of the film, including the overall outcome. The Machinist is a truly inspired and wonderful film and is a must for all intellectuals and Christian Bale fans alike.