What I've been watching this week
The Machinist (15+)
The Machinist (15+)
Before actually watching this film for myself I'd only heard very sparse and vague reviews of it, usually by word of mouth or just by noticing a small piece of writing on a website and the like, but despite that I decided that it sounded interesting enough to check out. The story of 'The Machinist' is one man's account of his association with chronic insomnia and how he believes he has become part of an intricate conspiracy against him, the film follows the character through a web of bizarre events and mishaps that have started occurring around his usually quite quiet life. Having said this the story is very much one of speculation and is, in my opinion, one that can differ from person to person, depending on how you viewed the film and what your take on it is.
In any case I thought the film was brilliant from start to end, having went into it with next to no expectations, except probably the hope of some snappy acting on Christian Bale's part and some 'arty' camera work by director Brad Anderson, I've came out of it feeling strangely fulfilled, like this film has almost been some sort of cinematic breakthrough (even though it came out 5 years ago), of course in reality, it probably wasn't all that good but it's been so long since I watched a film that I enjoyed this much. I admire the way that the film can keep establishing new plot points, without it ever feeling tedious or 'strung out' and the way that as the story progresses you feel more and more as if the ending can never justify some of the things that have taken place, but man, does it! Supported along the way of course by some beautiful directing on Anderson's part and a truly stunning performance by Bale throughout, this film really does keep you thinking right up until the end, with a nice juicy plot twist to catch you of guard, just when you think you've got it all figured out.
I think in hindsight, this is probably one of the better films that I've seen this year, without a doubt. I really enjoyed every second of it in some way or another, for me this was just a neat package of everything I like to see in a film composed into something quite brilliant. Of course, I know this isn't every one's views as I'm aware of quite a few people who really hated 'The Machinist' and I guess I can see why in some ways, sure it's over pretentious and Christian Bale is pretty much just waving his anorexic cock in your face for several hours, but to be honest I don't care what you think, I loved it and I'd recommend it to everyone and their mothers!
9/10
