Movie Review: The Machinist

This evening I watched ‘The Machinist‘ on DVD. This is my interpretation as I said I would.

The machinist starts all-morose and sullen with an amazing collection of screen views that are somewhat macabre yet would make fascinating photographs.

At first glance, it appears to be a series of brilliant black-and-white photographs strung together to form a story. But it becomes apparent that they form the basis for the rest of the movie. And is also the style of the amazing director, producer and cinematographer.

It takes about eight minutes for any real dialogue to be heard. The eerie music (that sounds like a mix of The Twilight Zone and Mars Attacks) makes us squirm in our seat, wondering what will come of it all.

At that point, I become more observant of the slowly developing storyline, though very confusing and hard to pinpoint.

The main character, Trevor Reznik, holds our attention with his malformed and undernourished body. He is someone we could relate to, but not sure why or if.

From a photographers point-of-view, this movie is loaded with interesting perspectives, vanishing-points plus amazing surreal and stormy sky’s.

Although the story is most interesting, it certainly drags at a slow speed that would drive a man to oblivion. REZNIK appears to jump between characters for a while until I realize there are multiple women in his life.

The storyline twists and turns, taking us on a weird journey of despair and intrigue. The path seems to jump from one junction to the next, not knowing which is the correct way. Somehow it takes us on a morbid journey.

The music pulls us through like a ball of twine through a series of heavy cogs, like blood veins entwined down an arm.

The reason I’ve some time to write a few lines is because of some scenes that involve a lot of blood-letting. Not really my cup of tea, nor my preference for movies. Thankfully I can mute and ALT-TAB away from these horrible moments … but no, I’m not fast enough. Reznik is hit by a car that he deliberately walks in front of. Somehow he survives. Weird that.

The plot meanders around for a while here, but eventually coming back on track. Reznik kills his other self, his connection with the next world. He relives the horror of the moment he killed a young child whilst lighting his cigarette. Sonova. Turns out smoking really does kill children.

This movie is scary, strange, sad and all together morose. Yes, it has a story line. No, I didn’t like it. I almost stopped the movie three times .. yet some how I was grabbed back in. Don’t ask. Even I don’t know.

Moral, if any?
Fate is what you make it.
Ask Sarah Conner about that.