Christian Bale

[morris]

Originally Posted by jaykays hat

The Fighter
Bale is superb as the crack head brother and deserved more praise than he got, but there is a Bale hating element out there.

It's not so much Bale hate as an awareness that he is or can be a complete tit. It's an awareness that only he has put out there. I used to rate him highly as an actor but I've come to realise that when he is playing highly strung manic characters (American Psycho, Machinist, Harsh Times, Rescue Dawn) he may actually just be playing himself.
An obsessive method actor or a highly strung princess? You decide.

[jaykays hat]

Originally Posted by morris

It's not so much Bale hate as an awareness that he is or can be a complete tit. It's an awareness that only he has put out there. I used to rate him highly as an actor but I've come to realise that when he is playing highly strung manic characters (American Psycho, Machinist, Harsh Times, Rescue Dawn) he may actually just be playing himself.
An obsessive method actor or a highly strung princess? You decide.

I'll go with an obsessive method actor with a hint of a highly strung princess.

[morris]

I think his obsessive adherence to method acting is one of the main reasons he's a highly strung princess. He's convinced that he takes his work with deathly seriousness, the idea that anyone else might do less than that drives him wild. He's also been in the business for a helluva long time and actors who've been child stars often aren't the best adjusted peeps out there.
The funniest thing about Bale out is that it took place on the set of a McG directed movie. It's bonkers to get uptight when the film is so shite anyway. imho

[BohemianBob]

Bale is a decent actor,but that's about it for me.He was a bit over the top in The Fighter,but came out ok due to Wahlberg's awful performance.
Overall his main problem seems to be HE thinks he's better than he actually is.

[jaykays hat]

I have always liked his since he was a boy, he has talent and has been in some of the films that I have really enjoyed. I watched Shaft again the other night and he was pretty good in that. I also liked him in 3:10 to Yuma and Equilibrium.

[Jonesy]

I used to admire Bale's acting, and thought he was superb in American Psycho, but then the dieting thing became bigger than his acting. If you actually examine many of his roles, he's playing the same part - the only difference being, his weight.I agree with Bob; he thinks he's a lot better than he actually is. He's also been in some of the worst clunkers of the early Norties, notably Reign of Fire and Equilibrium, whilst in 3:10 to Yuma he was out acted by Russel Crowe of all people.

[Porkchopexpress]

Having kind of grown up with him, cinematically speaking, 'Empire of the Sun' was one of my favourite films as a youngster I have a certain affection for him as an actor.

'American Psycho', 'Harsh Times' and 'Rescue Dawn' are some great films, which display a little more range than the husky voiced, frowning bloke that has perpetuated his more recent offerings.

Agree totally with Jonesy, his ability to morph physically for certain roles dominates those projects and subtracts from those films and performances. 'The Machinist' is excellent, but will always be known as the film where Bale was skinny.

Contrast that to Matt Damon buggering his liver while losing weight for 'Courage Under Fire'.

You have to admire actors willing to go the extra mile for a role, in much the same way actors get in shape, lose shape, or erm wear fat suits. It becomes a distraction though when that's all the focus is on and films, in my opinion get unjustified positive criticism for essentially expert make up, 'Monster' springs to mind.

Back to Bale though, 'American Psycho' is practically a comedy, I'd like to see him try something a little light hearted, he's in danger of getting Guy Pearce syndrome. Was a time, not any more, when Pearce was so pretentious and ego driven about projects it made him appear unlike-able.

'Ravenous' wasn't that bad! I really, rather liked it..

[Zippykins1]

In so many of his roles he barely cracks a smile, no wonder hes a grump. Dude needs to do a romantic comedy or another musical or something and lighten up!

[morris]

yo-yo dieting anyone

[Firedragon76]

That is scary. I used to like him as an actor, but in the last years it seems more and more as if he is taking himself and his method too seriously. I'm curious what kind of roles he is going to go after now that his stint as Batman is over.