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Back Shelf Beauties
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The Machinist Next year, everyone will know him as Batman, but this year Christian Bale wants us to know he can act. Mission accomplished. Bale plays Trevor Reznick - a factory worker wasting away. Over the past year, he hasn't been able to sleep, lost a shocking amount of weight, and developed the habit of hanging out at a local diner late at night to flirt with a waitress (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon) when he's not spending time with a hooker, Stevie (Jennifer Jason Leigh). His life appears to be in some sort of downward spiral, and it gets worse when he starts to see a mysterious new worker at the plant, Ivan, who begins menacing him. Who is Ivan? Why won't Trevor sleep? The Machinist is a creepy, moody movie looking for more action. Director Brad Anderson does a great job establishing this eerie tone, but Scott Kosar's script needs more incidents, more intrigue and more déjà vu moments to make us understand and question what has happened to Trevor. As it is, Bale and Anderson do an amazing job with what they have, but it isn't enough to keep you riveted to your seat even as you try to follow the clues. Bale, who lost some 60 pounds to look like the gaunt figure you see in the movie, puts in a strong performance and will show this one around Hollywood to remind people he can act after buzzing around in the Batmobile. He takes us on Trevor's slow decent into madness or desperation, which one we don't know until the end, but also finds ways to show us Trevor's humor and warm side, so we feel bad for him as we, like those in the movie, worry about his declining physical and mental health. It's a great performance. The Machinist is worth checking out to see Bale, but make sure you get a little caffeine in your system before hand. Trevor might not fall asleep, but you could. 2 ½ Waffles (Out Of 4) Copyright 2004 - WaffleMovies.com
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