The Machinist - Page 3

Zooropa · 20th March 2005, 12:51pm

The Machinist is a psychological puzzler which sees Christian Bale playing Trevor Reznick, a factory worker who, due to insomnia and broken concentration, accidentally causes a colleague to lose an arm. This leads him deeper into paranoia and obsession as he tries to identify a mystery man who is seemingly following him around.

This film is always going to be known for the fact that Bale lost around 4 stones to play the part of the 120lbs Trevor, but that's massively unfair on the script and the performances.

The colour has been drained, and this sets a dark and weary tone throughout. There's a real sense of fatigue and atmosphere about the movie, leaving you totally sympathetic with Trevor.

To explain much more would perhaps ruin the twists, although in fairness it's not the most complex movie - the ending wraps up most of the confusion quite easily, although there are a few unanswered questions left.

I'd highly recommend it....

Click here to read the entire review

Goth_pixie · 14th November 2007, 4:24pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCastrator

But...how? That's just baffling. There's no lead up to it. No proper clues or ideas or anything of the sort. It just happens. Then you go "Oh...right, well, yeah, I suppose that fits".

If you'd listened when I tried to explain it to you last night, you would have understood. Also, you didn't have to watch it; you could have just said "Yeah, ok" when I asked if you wanted to watch something else.

Posh · 14th November 2007, 5:53pm

Hahaha, pwn3d.

TheCastrator · 14th November 2007, 5:57pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goth_pixie

If you'd listened when I tried to explain it to you last night, you would have understood. Also, you didn't have to watch it; you could have just said "Yeah, ok" when I asked if you wanted to watch something else.

I did listen. But it's still so vague that you might as well do a Minority Report and refuse to watch the last ten minutes so you can spend the rest of your days thinking about the well-shot film with good acting and possibly Earth-shattering twist.

And I was curious. I wanted to find out the end. Unfortunately the twist was like finding out that Bruce Willis in 6th sense wasn't a qualified therapist*.

Goth_pixie · 14th November 2007, 6:01pm

The acting in Minority Report wasn't all that good.

And it's not vague. You just weren't paying attention.

TheCastrator · 14th November 2007, 6:10pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goth_pixie

The acting in Minority Report wasn't all that good.

And it's not vague. You just weren't paying attention.

I meant you could stop the Machinist ten minutes from the end. Like what everyone should do with Minority Report.

And it was vague. It could have had any ending, really, because nothing connects until the end. It just so happens that the scriptwriter decided to go with the dullest possible interpretation and finish off with that.

Goth_pixie · 14th November 2007, 6:13pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCastrator

I meant you could stop the Machinist ten minutes from the end. Like what everyone should do with Minority Report.

And it was vague. It could have had any ending, really, because nothing connects until the end. It just so happens that the scriptwriter decided to go with the dullest possible interpretation and finish off with that.

Read this thread. See how many people have posted that they'd figured it out or at least had picked up on the clues. Hang your head in shame at not being one of them.

TheCastrator · 14th November 2007, 6:16pm

Nobody's told me how they figured it out, though.

Goth_pixie · 14th November 2007, 6:17pm

By paying attention.

TheCastrator · 14th November 2007, 6:26pm

Ah, how specific.

Urgh. Anyway. Meh to it. Meh to it and all involved in writing it. And the director needs to learn that excessive blue isn't cool anymore.

Goth_pixie · 14th November 2007, 6:28pm

I know, it's a difficult concept for you. Give it a try though, it'll get easier with practice.

Joe Spinebuster · 14th November 2007, 6:41pm

The ending to The Machinist was fine. Excellent film.

If we're gonna talk vague, complete and absolute fucking nonsense endings, let's talk about Donnie Darko. No praising of it allowed, though - generic goffs, get off the nutz, stat. ONLY chat about how PURE PISH it is that you pretty much need to read a book, view the DVD extras or visit a website to "get it" is allowed in this discussion. Anyone who says it's understandable as a standalone movie is a lying bastard and receives immediate neg rep.

Posh · 14th November 2007, 6:42pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Castrator

Nobody's told me how they figured it out, though.

Sorry, but it way way too long ago to accurately recall.

TheCastrator · 14th November 2007, 6:53pm

I was just told some things there by PM, and, well... nah. None of it adds up to the ending you get there.
I actually have no idea how anyone got it before they were told.

Meh.

alice_in_a_maze · 29th June 2008, 7:29pm

Finally watched this last night.
Very enjoyable, think I'll watch it again tonight.
I know it's odd, but I am extremely attracted to the skinny as fuck Christian Bale.

Posh · 1st July 2008, 12:26am

Quote:

Originally Posted by alice_in_a_maze

I know it's odd, but I am extremely attracted to the skinny as fuck Christian Bale.

Have you met Jamie Sett?