Christian Bale is one of the best actors of his generation, and he somehow manages to consistently prove it with each role, four of which received at least a nomination from the Academy Awards. There’s never a review where the critic cites Bale’s performance as a weak link, and that’s because the actor is never content to give any less than his all.
Redditors are quick to point this out, yet a few of their choices manage to be surprising. There are obvious roles like Patrick Bateman and Bruce Wayne, but Redditors know how to appreciate his work in niche projects as well.
As Patrick Bateman In American Psycho (2000)
American Psycho was a major breakthrough for Bale. Despite being based on an extremely hard-to-adapt novel, the movie works, and that’s entirely due to Bale’s virtuoso performance.
Many Redditors brought up the unique “horror” film, but it was motophiliac who perfectly elaborated on why they love Bale in it: “The prolonged moment of simultaneously unbridled and subtle insanity that is the Huey Lewis ‘Hip to be Square’ pop butchering of Paul Allen never ceases to disturb and impress me. The ferocious lust which gradually subsides into a prim self-consciousness eventually replaced by animalistic gloating as he starts the cigar….”
As Trevor Reznik In The Machinist (2004)
Bale put himself through hell for The Machinist, and the impact of his performance is leagues above the film’s overall effect. To play the titular character, the actor lost a massive 62 pounds, and it’s the type of dedication that’s unique to performers like Bale.
Reddez put it succinctly and well: “The Machinist was amazing. Hands down if not the best, the second-best.” The performance was brought up again by a now-deleted user, who championed American Psycho before writing “Also his sacrifice in weight loss in The Machinist is incredible.”
As Bruce Wayne/Batman In The Dark Knight (2008)
DFWTooThrowed brought up the smaller-scale second chapter of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight, but acknowledged there was another performance that stole the spotlight: “I just think most people were more captivated by Ledger’s acting in that though.”
Another Redditor, codithou, expanded on it with an agreeable summarization: “I don’t think people really appreciate how well he plays Batman. He is one of the few actors that have portrayed Batman that seems to have a real understanding of how complex the character is.” Bale has received a lot of undue flack for his performance as (specifically) Batman. For the most part, his voice has inexplicably been considered too deep (even though Bruce Wayne is intentionally disguising his standard tone).
As Jim In Empire Of The Sun (1987)
Empire of the Sun is a late-’80s historical drama that manages to tell a WWII story that hasn’t been done over and over. The film follows Bale’s Jim Graham, a wealthy British boy who swiftly has his affluence stripped of him by the surrounding conflict.
Swanofavon wrote, “I don’t know that it’s his best but I’m still blown away by his performance in Empire of the Sun.” Later, bobjohnsonmilw added “I didn’t notice the date of the movie when I started it and I kept thinking, ‘Wow, that kid really looks like him, I wonder when he’s going to show up in the plot.’ Yep. I do think this is his best movie actually. He’s great in everything, but I think Empire of the Sun really takes it.”
As Jack Kelly In Newsies (1992)
Tututitlookslikerain was simple: “Newsies!!!” Then, a now-deleted user hopped on to add “My love for Newsies knows no bounds.” The beloved musical stars Bale in the lead role as 17-year-old Jack “Cowboy” Kelly, an experienced newspaper hawker (“Newsie”) who mentors two other boys on the job.
Newsies didn’t do well when it was first released in 1992, tanking at the box office and receiving a lukewarm at best reception from critics. However, time has shown it to be one of the biggest cult classic musicals of all time, and those who are fans on Reddit are clearly going to remain so for life.
As John Preston In Equilibrium (2002)
Equilibrium is one of those films that came out around the same time as a very similar, far more popular, film. In this case, The Matrix in 1999. However, even with the inevitable comparison, Equilibrium stands just fine on its own.
Sorkijan was a major champion for the Matrix-like film, writing, “Equilibrium, hands down. The movie was about a character that had no emotions, then came off the drug and for the first time in his life was experiencing them. You could feel the balance his character was barely maintaining between losing control and keeping up appearances to not get caught. Definitely one of the most underrated films.”
As Dicky Eklund In The Fighter (2010)
Evanset6 put their reaction to Bale’s performance as burnt-out former boxer Dicky Eklund in succinct terms: “The Fighter…he was amazing…definitely deserved the Oscar.”
David O. Russell’s film tells the true story of boxer Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg), and his ragged older half-brother, Eklund. Bale wasn’t the only actor to deservedly win an Oscar for their role, as Melissa Leo netted the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Alice Eklund-Ward, the mother of the two boys. Furthermore, Amy Adaws was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Charlene Fleming, the girlfriend of Ward.
As Alfred Borden In The Prestige (2006)
Expldplastic started a thread by saying “Christian Bale’s performance in The Prestige is fantastic the first time you watch it and unbelievably brilliant the 2nd time you watch it.”
The same could be said of Christopher Nolan’s layered film as a whole. Like Inception or Interstellar, The Prestige not only deserves rewatches, it warrants them. However, that wouldn’t be the case were the performances not to sell the narrative’s twists, and Bale’s role(s) as Alfred Borden and Bernard Fallon is the crucial piece of the puzzle.
As Dan Evans In 3:10 To Yuma (2007)
2007’s 3:10 to Yuma is the second adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s incredible 1953 short story after the 1957 Glenn Ford-starring film, and it’s just as good if not better. James Mangold (Logan) coats his Western world in authenticity, allowing the viewer to quickly forget they’re watching two A-listers (Bale and Russell Crowe) ride horses around Santa Fe.
James__K__Polk created a thread to recommend the movie, starting off with the work done by Bale: “Christian Bale plays a…Civil War veteran turned rancher who agrees to escort an infamous criminal to a train that will take him to prison. It’s a very nuanced performance because Bale gives you the strong-but-silent type without making the character boring or detached.” The Redditor makes a good point, especially considering the quiet aspects of Bale’s performance are accentuated by the buoyancy displayed by Crowe’s villain.
As Irving Rosenfeld In American Hustle (2013)
Bale reteamed with David O. Russell for American Hustle, which ended up being as big of an Oscar darling as The Fighter. It stars Bale as one of two con artists, with the other being played by Amy Adams (also reteaming with Russell after The Fighter). When an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) forces them to participate in what would later be labeled ABSCAM, he finds that he’s not the player he thinks he is so much as the one who’s been played.
Nebuchadnezz4r wasn’t overall effusive with their praise, but they did cite the performances, with one reaching the top of the heap in their eyes: “Not one of the greatest films of the last few years. HOWEVER, the characterization and chemistry between the characters were very impressive and more energetic, character-driven movies should strive to do what American Hustle has done. Acting was fantastic (by Bale especially).”
