Powerful Performances

Rating: 7/10 (26 August 2006)

This movie could so easily have been a 9 out of 10, but it loses some points because of the predictability towards the end. Starring Christian Bale as Trevor and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stevie in two of their best performances, the only weak character I found was Nicholas. I didn't connect with this actor; perhaps that was an intentional casting choice given his role in the story. Without giving any spoilers, I will say that it was a shame Anderson didn't receive the industry support he needed. Why we can see incredibly stupid movies made and promoted while projects such as The Machinist are abandoned eludes me.
Both Bale and Leigh are not pleasant actors to watch; when they take on a role, they do not sugarcoat any aspect of that character. They have an ability to make the entire character come alive - as real as any person you meet on the street. This is a rare talent in the current crop of "a mile wide and an inch deep" so commonly seen today. I think the best way to judge the quality of an actor's work is by whether or not you are aware of the actor playing the character or the character itself. As always, with these two, it's Trevor and Stevie you remember, not Bale and Leigh.