I know what you're thinking... the dude that played Batman. Yes, he's played Batman about three more times than any one actor should, but he's still a pretty interesting actor. Mind you, I've always loved the Batman movies, and, to me, The Dark Knight was the epitome of an incredible movie with incredible actors. However, Christian Bale truly blew my mind in the movie "The Fighter". For his performance in this movie, Bale won a SAG, Academy Award, and a Golden Globe. Not bad.
Christian Bale, like Sean Penn, is a practicing method actor. He once interviewed and he referred to himself as a type of meaningless vessel that was only fulfilled while embodying a character. Yeah, some actors are a little intense, but they sure can produce good film.
What struck me about Bale's performance in "The Fighter" was how just how nervous he made me. In the film, he plays a crack head that's using more or less throughout the entire movie (don't worry, that's not really a spoiler). But his performance as an addict isn't campy, and he isn't portrayed as evil, or really even bad. He just is. Throughout the movie, I found myself so uncomfortable with Bale's character, and equally heartbroken.
After seeing the film, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about Bale's other work. He's known for going to great lengths to physically embody his character. In "The Fighter" for instance, he dropped 62 pounds and became a skeletal version of himself. For another role in the"The Machinist", he was even thinner. Most big stars have similar stories of dropping or gaining a lot of weight, but it's usually a once-in-a-career type thing. Christian Bale has done it twice. I personally find it wildly impressive that one man is so willing to sacrifice his body time and time again just to accurately portray a role, when technology like CGI exists and editors could be put with the hardship.
Anyway, I would highly recommend watching "The Fighter" if you get the chance. It's definitely not for everyone, but I was clearly impressed. Also, keep an eye out for other films Bale's in; they're not likely to disappoint.
I definitely think that Christian Bale is an amazing actor. As most people would probably agree, he is best known for his role in Batman, but I appreciate his other roles just as much, if not more. While I have not yet seen "The Fighter", I have heard really good things. A friend of mine has repeatedly mentioned how amazing Bale was in the movie. He said that it was truly impressive how well Bale was able to become a character with such a distinct personality. He also said he saw clips of the actual man that Bale portrayed which made it that much more clear just how well Bale did when taking on that role. Another movie Bale was in which I thoroughly enjoyed is "The Prestige". I don't know if you have seen this movie, but I would definitely reccomend it.
ReplyDeleteI have seen "The Fighter" and I agree with you that Bale puts in a very real performance. I was not just in his physical appearance either, I think it was also in the way he played the role, with true devotion. This is acting at its best. Acting today has taken on a different characteristic, and is thought that it can be done by anyone. Movies are created all the time, but it is rare that they have great actors. Yes, this is a drama and possibly based off of a true story, I do not remember. But, Bale goes above and beyond what the normal actor is asked to due. He plays his role with passion.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Christian Bale is a good actor. I think that part is probably apparent to anyone who watches a movie that he has been in. I know him best as Batman, as I'm sure is true for most people, but I also remember him from "The Prestige". "The Prestige" is a movie set in the nineteenth century about two magicians, formerly friends but who become enemies after one's wife dies during a performance. Christian Bale plays one of the magicians, while Hugh Jackman plays the widowed other magician. I didn't know that Bale was a method actor, but knowing that, it makes the movie all the more creepy for me. I can't imagine trying to immerse myself in a character that intense and complex through thinking about my own life experiences. Regardless of his methods, I like the results and am eagerly looking forward to the next Batman movie.
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