CHRISTIAN Bale joins the Renee Zellwegger school of dieting by shedding more than four stone for his role as an anorexic insomniac in The Machinist.

Factory worker Trevor Reznik (Bale) has not slept for a year, which has led to the deterioration of his mental and physical state.

His world is turned into a living nightmare when cryptic notes start to appear in his dingy apartment and he has visions of a co-worker no-one else sees.

Is someone or something conspiring against him? Or is it merely that fatigue robbed him of his reason?

The Machinist is a dark and depressing tale, which delves deep into the mind of a desperately lonely soul determined to find the answers to his troubles.

Bale is excellent as the tormented Reznik who only finds temporary solace with a softly spoken call girl, sensitively played by Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Grim and complex, this film takes some concentration as it twists between reality and fantasy but is ultimately fulfilling for the satisfying conclusion.

EB