According to the USCCB Reviews, The Machinist is for a Limited Audience Only. While not a condemnation, it narrows the audience to a very few. I recently saw it on PPV. (One of the reasons I love having satellite). I found the movie to be haunting, evocative, unnerving and morally correct (in the end). I've only seen Christian Bale in occasional clips before this movie. The man can act. He's truly gifted and his dedication to this role was simply amazing. As noted, he dropped over 60 lbs. to play Trevor. He's told, not once, but twice that "if you were any thinner, you'd disappear."
Trevor is smart and too smart to be working the menial factory job that he does. He knows all the laws and rules governing the workplace which makes him a thorn in management's side and well liked by his coworkers. That changes when an accident occurs and Trevor is involved. He begins to see things that may or may not be there. Who is tormenting him and why? Is he really losing it or is he seeing something real? Why hasn't he slept in a year?
The film is artfully directed, well cast and very well acted (by all involved, even the minor characters). I highly recommend it. Morally troubling scenes notwithstanding.

In other movie news, Guy Ritchie (who is a brilliant director with rather questionable taste in women) has a new film coming out called Revolver. Click here for the trailer. As always Ritchie is going to deliver a stylized story about people that are on the wrong side of the law. Can't wait.

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