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The machinist (El maquinista) - Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sanchez-Gijón, Brad Anderson

Threat advisory: Elevated - Significant risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

A little guilt goes a long way...

Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale), a machinist, has lost the ability to sleep. But this is no ordinary insomnia. Trevor has not slept in a year. Fatigue has led to a shocking deterioration of his physical and mental health. Suspicious of his appearance, Trevor's co-workers first shy away from him, then turn against him after he's involved in a shop accident that costs a man his arm. They blame Trevor for the accident. He has become a liability to himself and others, and now they want him out.

Plagued with guilt, Trevor's shame becomes suspicion, then paranoia, when it appears his workmates are conspiring to have him fired - or worse. First he finds cryptic notes left in his apartment. Next he's told that a mysterious co-worker involved in the accident doesn't exist.

Are these mysteries part of a plot to drive Trevor mad? Or is it fatigue that's robbing him of his reason?

Determined to find an answer, Trevor investigates the strange occurrences that are turning his world into a sleepless nightmare. Yet the more he learns, the less he wants to know.

Persons of interest

Christian Bale .... Trevor Reznik
Jennifer Jason Leigh .... Stevie
Aitana Sánchez-Gijón .... Marie
John Sharian .... Ivan
Michael Ironside .... Miller
Larry Gilliard Junior .... Jackson
Reg E Cathey .... Jones
Anna Massey .... Mrs Shrike
Matthew Romero Moore .... Nicholas
Robert Long .... Supervisor Furman
Colin Stinton .... Inspector Rogers
Craig Stevenson .... Tucker
Ferrán Lahoz .... Gonzales
Jeremy Xidu .... Evangelisti
Scott Kosar .... Screenwriter
Brad Anderson .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

The machinist (El maquinista) official movie site
The machinist (El maquinista) film production notes
The machinist (El maquinista) QuickTime movie trailers
Awards and film festivals:

Academy of Science Fiction Fantasy and Horror Films Saturn Awards 2005: Nominated: Best Actor (Christian Bale)
Goya Awards 2005: Nominated: Best Original Score (Roque Baños)
Neuchâtel International Fantasy Film Festival 2004: Won: Grand Prize of European Fantasy Short Film in Silver (Brad Anderson), Narcisse Award - Best International Film (Brad Anderson)
San Sebastián International Film Festival 2005: Horizontes Latinos: Made in Spain
Sitges Catalonian International Film Festival 2004: Won: Best Actor (Christian Bale), Best Cinematography (Xavi Giménez); Nominated: Best Film (Brad Anderson)

Studios and distributors:

Rialto Entertainment

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

The machinist would be a more compelling film if it hadn't been preceded by Memento and 21 grams. You do get to see Christian Bale looking so thin you could blow him over with a butterfly - and not a special effect in sight. Talk about dedication (or insanity, but you have to be insane to be an actor).