DVD REVIEWS: The Machinist
Ken Korman
September 2005
|
Paramount
Movie •••½
Picture/Sound •••½
Extras •••½ |
"Alfred Hitchcock on steroids” best describes this intense and disturbing psychological thriller from director
Brad Anderson (
Session 9). But it will likely be remembered as the movie for which actor
Christian Bale actually lost a third of his body weight (63 pounds) to play a character who hasn’t slept in a year and may well be losing his mind. The bleak, desaturated visuals ratchet up the tension, as does an eerily atmospheric soundtrack anchored by an intentionally Hitchcockian score — the estate of Bernard Herrmann practically deserves royalties. Extras include a director’s commentary, eight deleted scenes, and a half-hour documentary.
[R] English, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Surround; letterboxed (2.35:1) and anamorphic widescreen; dual layer.