28! Here’s how many pounds Christian Bale lost to play The Machinist, a factory worker who hasn’t slept in a year. An incredible transformation for an actor who never hesitates to gain or lose weight for roles, risking his health.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Brad Anderson’s film, we invite you to look back at the career of his leading actor, trying to identify 11 of his films in which he has very different looks. Until then, here are some anecdotes about The Machinist.
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To play the main role, Christian Bale lost almost 30 kilos in three months. According to Brad Anderson, “He was starving, exhausted, to approach his character’s state of mind. (…) Sometimes it was a bit scary.” And let’s continue: “I insisted on getting him medical attention. (…) Sometimes, in order to play the scene better, he refrained from sleeping during the previous two nights.“
US-Europe: A Matter of Nuance
The film was shot in Spain and none of the major Hollywood studios wanted to participate in the project. Director Brad Anderson explains that in Europe he found more open interlocutors: “Cinema in Europe is still a matter of creativity, unlike in the United States, where risk-taking or artistic bias doesn’t mean much anymore – the industry has to be fed first. I believe that, traditionally, Europeans are more sensitive to nuance, to stories that deviate slightly from the mainstream in both their treatment and content.“
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
