A Gripping Psychological Tale

Rating: 8/10 (11 March 2017)

Ever wonder what might happen if your mind starts to betray you? That is exactly the conundrum portrayed in "The Machinist".
For a basic plot summary, the film focuses on Trevor Reznick (Christian Bale), a machine worker who is having trouble sleeping. As the movie unfolds, the mystery of his insomnia is slowly revealed, with the overall outcome (complete craziness or vast conspiracy) in doubt all the way up to the final scene.
If you like movies that have a "big reveal" in the end, then this should volt up near the top of your "must see" list. The action may not be all that apparent in the middle portions of the film, but it is the process of the "slow reveal" that will keep you interested in seeing how it all turns out.
Along the way, the acting will also keep you emotionally tuned in. While Bale may be a bit one- dimensional (at least so far) in terms of choosing his roles, but what he does (the intense, brooding type) always turns out excellent. Without his stunning performance physically, emotionally, and psychologically, this film would be little more than a "hook flick" (where the hook of the plot is the only thing that ends up mattering). Instead, you'll actually care about the fate of Reznick when all is said and done.
Thus, I could easily give "The Machinist" a 4.5 rating, but opt for 4 in this format due to the fact that it really isn't an "instant classic". However, it has all the elements of a solid film, and will keep you entertained throughout (especially if you are a psychological mystery lover!).