A dark, hellish delirium that succeeds in capturing the viewer's mind

Rating: 8/10 (31 May 2007)

(note: my name is Geoffrey Vandervoort, can't seem to get that right) The Machinist is a controversial movie. It was produced in Barcelona in stead if the U.S.A. and features Hollywood actors such as Christian Bale along with native Spanish actors and ex-pats. It's style is very direct and visual, which is a good thing if you like realism like I do. However, the story that is portrayed is so dark and horrific, that you will be aching to stop watching at times. Christian Bale, the main actor, lost a LOT of weight for this movie, and his mind-bending adventures combine with the previous fact into sinister and disgusting scenes. However, the plot is simply brilliant and the colorless industrial settings and '30-'40-like music perfectly match the whole atmosphere of the movie. Of course, you could say that a lot of story has been seen in Fight Club or Alzheimer Case if you know that one, but the differences are significant and I feel that this movie has done a better job in capturing the desired feel for such a movie. It is also very re-playable because you'll always miss something on the first view. The references are intelligent and enjoyable. I give this picture 8/10!