Pure excellence

Rating: 9/10 (18 May 2016)

The Machinist subscribes to the Jacob's Ladder type film lineage where the entire thing is one big metaphor. Here, Christian Bale delivers an excellent performance as Trevor Reznik, a profoundly dysfunctional, out-of-touch zombie of a man who ..."hasn't slept in a year". The entire movie, and I do mean the *entire movie* is crowded with easter eggs, little secrets, hints, symbols, double meanings that all work in the direction of a superbly executed story and film with a brilliant, terribly meaningful twist at the end. The best thing about this film is that although it's atmospheric, and very heavy/dark in color/feel and texture, something almost of a horror film, despite its definite taste for the haunting macabre it remains a totally healthy, composed watch without ever straying away from the plot or entering bizarre realm. Every single scene, and every single moment during the scenes has purpose, excellently performed and executed, and contributes to a greater end, there isn't one second too much in this masterpiece. And the main theme which it deals with, GUILT, is developed in the most subtle and outstandingly relevant way and offers great insight into human psychology. Just...just right. Really, perfect.