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The Machinist (2004)
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Movie Review by Zara 
May 27th, 2007
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Doing something just to prove that you can
Sorry, boys. I'm all for depressing stories, hopeless plot twists and sketchy dealings all around. NORMALLY. But there was something about this movie that rubbed me the wrong way. Boring, slow, ugly, depressing, and just all around one of those flicks that made me feel as if I'd just sacrificed 101 minutes of my life that I'll regretfully never get back.
This movie boils down to one essential thing. Christian Bale lost over 70 pounds to play the role of an insomniac who may or may not be alive and who may or may not be going crazy and who may or may not need to have his head shoved in a toilet to get away from the stench that is this film.
What we're supposed to be mesmerized by here is the emaciated look of Bale, the bones of his chest and shoulders straining against his skin. The tendons flexed for maximum "EW!" factor. We're supposed to admire and revere the man for his dedication to his craft.
Personally, if I'm going to revere him for anything, I'd prefer to do that with his psychopathic killer from AMERICAN PSYCHO. Where I can look at his muscles, his attention to getting his body to a different kind of peak form. This is just grotesque. I don't want to look at lollipop actresses and I don't want to look at this. Especially when it really does nothing to add to this movie. The character of Reznik could have managed to look haggard without requiring that Bale lose all of that weight.
As Dustin Hoffman was told by Sir Laurence Olivier when Hoffman explained that he'd prepared for the scene in the dentist's chair (in MARATHON MAN) by staying up 3 nights in a row and then going for a 5 mile run before the shoot, "Geez boy, why don't you just ACT?"
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 | B Movie Ben
May 28, 2007 6:46 AM
also wrote a review of The Machinist 
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While Bale's looks are a big part of the attraction, I do not think it is the most important part of the film. I was more enthralled by the story. But, that is what makes this site so interesting. We don't all like the same things, and we can discover new movies to watch in the conversations we have. People should watch this movie just to participate in the conversation. It is worth the time spent.
You know, it really was painful to watch Theron in Monster, but I am glad I did to see her acting come through the ugliness. |
 | Zombie Boy
May 27, 2007 9:13 PM
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| I disagree with you 110% on this review, right down to the fact that I hated American Psycho. The Machinist affected me very deeply and profoundly. I agree that Bale was reckless with what he put himself through for the weight loss, but it was quite an effective visual. |
 | Lisa
May 28, 2007 9:29 AM
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I loved the darkness of this film and the way Bale handlef the role of Reznik, yeah sure he could have just used his acting skill and some make up to achieve the haggard look but by taking it to the next step it made it all the more believable.
Love the Olivier quote by the way. |
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