The Machinist

"The Machinist" is certainly one of the most intriguing and impressive movie I have ever seen. Impressive, because of this great actor Christian Bale that deserved a nomination to the Oscar for his excellent performance in the role of Trevor Reznik plus his effort to lose 63-pound weight to become the "walking skeleton" required by the screenplay. Intriguing, because of the mysterious and original story of a man that has not slept for one year and his insomnia drives him to loss of weight, insanity and delusion. The screenplay is slowly disclosed, following the style of "Twilight Zone" or "Jacob's Ladder". I liked this movie very much, and I was anxious until the last scene to find the motives for such bizarre behavior of Trevor. My vote is eight. Title (Brazil): "O Operário" ("The Worker")

Christian Bale is Trevor Reznik, he has not slept for a year and he is ravaged by exhaustion, his body is little more than bones and his weary mind is playing tricks on him. After a serious accident where his neglect sees a co-worker lose a arm, he becomes haunted by his guilt and he begins to find cryptic notes in his flat, while he is stalked by man, wherever he goes. Brad Anderson creates and sustains a very creepy and dark Ora throughout the film; filling it with haunting imagery and clever camera work. Christian Bale is simply mesmerising in this role, and he must have starved for months to capture the characters physical appearance. He is excellently supported by Jennifer Jason Leigh, a prostitute who seems to be the only one he can trust. The Machinist is truly compulsive viewing and despite similarities to the feel of Fight Club and the structure of Memento; this film does stand alone on it's own merits. 8/10

a memorable character. his sin. his truth. an one of the most fascinating roles for Christian Bale. The Machinist reminds Crime and judgment. but it is not an adaptation. only a great trip in heart of strange existence, obscure crisis of a man who , step by step, becomes a shadow. a film about truth. as revelation. as key of freedom and source of sense. a film about love but not exactly in the terms of Raskolnikov - Sonia's terms. admirable exercise about honesty. and about the cage of the past. a film who must see it. for artistic virtues. for inspired script. for performances. and for a motif who remains secret long time after its end.