The Machinist (2004)

Neon Noodle · January 21, 2006, 10:24:38 AM

I posted this in the "underrated/overlooked gems" thread, but just wondering if anyone else has seen it?

I wouldn't have known it was made, were it not for this trailer:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_classics/the_machinist.html

I have new respect for Christian Bale after seeing how far he starved himself for this role.

Amanda · January 21, 2006, 11:00:53 AM

I'm a big Christian Bale fan, and I loved this movie. It was startling to see how emaciated he got for this, and then bulked right up for Batman. I liked the discomforting feel of this movie, it's a slow burn, but good.

Mr_Vindictive · January 21, 2006, 11:46:12 AM

Neon,

I posted a review of this one a few months back.

I have great respect for Bale, and am a huge fan of his ever since American Psycho. The Machinist was a fantastic film, and it's quite amazing to see just how dedicated Bale was to the film. If you liked The Machinist, then check out the director's earlier film Session 9 which is quite possibly the best ghost film of all time.

odinn7 · January 21, 2006, 02:44:09 PM

"... check out the director's earlier film Session 9 which is quite possibly the best ghost film of all time."

What are you, on drugs? Ever hear of a neat little movie called Casper? Now we're talking.

Seriously, you consider it a ghost film? I know it leads us in that direction throughout the movie but I feel when it's all over, it's something else. I will refrain from giving too much away as knowing how everything works out will surely detract from it for anyone who is going to see it.

Mr_Vindictive · January 21, 2006, 05:30:17 PM

odinn7 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Seriously, you consider it a ghost film? I know it
> leads us in that direction throughout the movie
> but I feel when it's all over, it's something
> else. I will refrain from giving too much away as
> knowing how everything works out will surely
> detract from it for anyone who is going to see it.

Well, like you said it does lead the viewer in that direction for a good portion of the film. Although, in the end, it's something much more but I still consider it an excellent "ghost" film. Maybe "paranormal" would fit the film a bit better.

dean · January 21, 2006, 10:08:07 PM

The Machinist was a great film if only because of Bale's intencity through the whole film.

However, I was incredibly dissappointed by the marketing campaign of ''Like Fight Club meets Memento" which ruined both surprise twists for me. If I didn't have that in mind, it would be a much better film for me: I just kept thinking to myself 'what a rip off, what a rip off...'

Considering the screenwriter has almost exclusively dealt in remakes, it would be nice to see something which is actually original and not based on a recycled plot idea.

That really annoyed me, but I quite enjoyed the film despite it, just based on the fantastic performance by Bale.

What a freaky body. Absolutely freaky.

odinn7 · January 22, 2006, 09:07:39 AM

I really like Bale as an actor. Though I didn't care much for Reign of Fire, he did a real good job in it. He did a great job as first being emotionless and then being flooded with emotion in Equilibrium. He had me believing he was Bruce Wayne and Batman in Batman Begins. I have yet to see the Machinist though it's been on my list since Skaboi first recommended it.

trekgeezer · January 22, 2006, 12:54:34 PM

Bale's next movie is called "The Prestige", which will be directed by Christopher Nolan who did Memento and Batman Begins. It's about two London magicians at the turn of the 20th century who compete for trade secrets. Hugh Jackman and Bale are the two magicians.

The movie also stars Scarlett Johannson, Michael Caine, and David Bowie (as Nikola Tesla). I just read that Andy Serkis will be in the movie as Tesla's assistant.

I think everyone here should know who Tesla is.

I'm looking forward to this one, since Batman I am great fan of Nolan's work as well as Bale's (and if for nothing else, for them to get it out of the way so they can get to work on the next Batman movie).

nobody · January 22, 2006, 06:37:47 PM

Same here, dean. I thought the same thing... "rip off." I was real disappointed having sat through the entire film. I give a lot of props to Bale, though, for being so dedicated to the script by loosing his perfect "American Psycho" body.