Flawed, fascinating, with an underwhelming ending.

Rating: 5/10 (16 June 2005)

This is a movie that is fascinating to watch since it is a mental riddle unfolding- a bit like SPIDER. However, once you know the riddle you will probably go- that's it?? I felt rather let down by the ending of the movie and also the main idea of the movie is a bit far fetched. One main part of the movie is that the central character, played by a SEVERELY emaciated Christian Bale (props to Christian for looking the part!) can't sleep. Yet, at no moment in the movie is this ever actually addressed. He NEVER attempts anything to make him sleep, yet he says he really wants to sleep throughout it. You would think that one day, he would do something drastic to try and fall asleep, like have some warm milk and a few valiums.
I can't possibly recommend this movie because there are so many others in the "what the hell is really happening here" genre that outdo it. American PSYCHO was far better- another Christian Bale movie. Also in the genre and far better than this movie is John Cusack in IDENTITY. MACHINIST IS NOT A DATE MOVIE! :-)