Big surprise

Rating: 8/10 (8 June 2005)

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this movie up, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is the perfect combination of horror, mystery and drama. The film concerns a factory worker named Trevor Reznik. He has not slept in quite some time, a year to be exact. As you can imagine, a few days, no less a YEAR, without sleep can do some funny things to the mind. Well, that's exactly what begins to happen to Mr. Reznik. He sketches his way from day to day and becomes worse and worse. A horrible accident occurs at his work, and he begins to believe that there is a method to the madness. The performance Christian Bale gives is one I will not forget too soon. His weight for the role alone is enough to make most people not even want to sit through it. Jennifer Jason Leigh is also pitch perfect as the prostitute that enjoys the company of the frail Reznik. Certainly not a film for the squeamish, The Machinist is a bonafide mind-bender.