Bale is outstanding in The Machinist

The Machinist

Director: Brad Anderson

Cast: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason-Leigh, Michael Ironside

Cert: 16.

Christian Bale turns in one of his most impressive performances as the title character in Anderson's harrowingly powerful drama.

Bale certainly entered into the spirit of the quality film: losing over four stone to bring us the troubled sleep-deprived and friendless Trevor Reznick who suffers from having to live with the knowledge that a moment of carelessness caused the death of a factory colleague (Ironside).

One friend does remain in Reznick's depressing life, warm-hearted hooker Jason-Leigh. Other characters are not quite so kindly.

Though, a minor fault, the film falters towards the middle, it is nevertheless a deeply dramatic work in which Anderson's use of muted colours adds brilliantly to the atmosphere ... and Bale, skeleton-thin, is outstanding.

Star Rating: 4/5