Christian Bale vs. Leonardo DiCaprio

[DACrowe]

.I thought this was a new movie. Huh. Well I do think Bale is the better actor. He is a much more nuanced actor who prefers to inhabit a character. DiCaprio has become a great thespian, but he wants to demonstrate how great he is at emoting or being this character. Bale comes from less of a leading man focus and rather just inhabits the character and plays him as such.

But lately DiCaprio is having the much better career. Bale after doing two Batman movies (and getting upstaged by Ledger in one of 'em) and a crappy Terminator film needs to work hard to regain his respect as a character actor and get away from the summer fluff. Meanwhile DiCaprio has starred in four Scorsese movies. That right there just ups his legacy very highly.

P.S. For those who think BAle can't play a lead character you want to root for, please watch Rescue Dawn and 3:10 to Yuma. He plays the everyman in both and is really, really good in both. Even as a child actor, he could play the charismatic hero in something as cheeky as Newsies. Just because his john Connor sucked doesn't mean he is a bad actor. It just shows how bad the screenplay for that movie was.

 

[redfirebird2008]

Bale after doing two Batman movies (and getting upstaged by Ledger in one of 'em) and a crappy Terminator film needs to work hard to regain his respect as a character actor and get away from the summer fluff.

The Fighter. Look it up.

 

[Crook]

I disagree. 3:10 To Yuma is a perfect example. He wasn't brooding or dark. He did a good job playing an honest character. And I also don't consider American Psycho to be a brooding role either. That role actually has a lot of range to it, assuming one has the right sense of humor while viewing it.

He was fine in 3:10, ditto for Rescue Dawn. But he also doesn't have much screen charisma, at least not anymore. I'm glad you brought up AP, because that's by far his best role to date. Unfortunately he hasn't maintained that level of energy. When I hear of actors like DiCaprio, Depp, DDL doing a new role...my eyes light up with excitement. They always do something new, and they never lack the ability to hook you in. When I hear Bale gets a new role, I'm interested and I know he won't suck, but it doesn't exactly get me off my seat.

Bale did this for me in AP. But he's lost that spark ever since.

Well I do think Bale is the better actor. He is a much more nuanced actor who prefers to inhabit a character. DiCaprio has become a great thespian, but he wants to demonstrate how great he is at emoting or being this character. Bale comes from less of a leading man focus and rather just inhabits the character and plays him as such.

Where does one discern the two methods? And how can you apply that last statement to Leo, when Bale is the one that's risked his health twice over, just for a movie role?

 

[redfirebird2008]

Where does one discern the two methods? And how can you apply that last statement to Leo, when Bale is the one that's risked his health twice over, just for a movie role?

Wasn't that in an effort to "inhabit" the characters? He's doing it again for The Fighter. He plays a former drug addict that is very thin.

DiCaprio rarely changes his physical looks but uses a more emotional delivery style than Bale.

 

[Crook]

I'm just confused at the wording, because being a thesp is usually connected with inhibiting a character to the fullest degree. It sounds like he's separating the two.

I'm also questioning why everyone seems to think Leo is trying too hard at being an actor. Like I said, Bale is the one that went that extra mile in matching a fictional character's physicality. Not to say that's a bad thing, but I'd consider that far more of an effort in displaying one's ability. Especially when it has nothing to do with acting.

 

[Figs]

Both overated BIG TIME!, imo. Leo likes to think he's some big serious actor like Denzel washupington (yes I spelled it that way on purpose). He always acts in serious, gritty movies with Scorcese, thinking it'll get him more awards. Clearly an actor who does what he does for fame not for fun or because he loves it. Bale, although I appreciate how he mixes up his roles unlike dicraprio (also spelled that incorrect on purpose), he still comes across like a guy who tries to hard even in movies that are supposed to be summer fun. I think actors these days get the "Greatest actor ever" rep far to easilly given to them by people.

I choose DiCaprio even though I'm also a big fan of Bale's work.

MAN O STEEL, just curious but what gives you the impression that Leonardo does what he does for fame not because he loves it? Aside from when he was younger and was pictured on all the teeny bopper magazines for Titanic he really isn't in the spotlight all the time like some attention ****e. I also don't agree with you in saying that DiCaprio doesn't mix up his roles.

 

[redfirebird2008]

I'm also questioning why everyone seems to think Leo is trying too hard at being an actor.

If that is directed at me, then all I can say is you are reading way too much into my phrase about DiCaprio delivering his lines in a more emotional manner than Bale. That is a statement of fact. You have even said that Bale doesn't put enough energy into his performances, so you should probably agree with my assessment. I never implied that DiCaprio was "trying too hard" at being an actor. I merely noted the difference in their deliveries. I can't speak for the other guy who originally made the point.

 

[Figs]

I disagree. 3:10 To Yuma is a perfect example. He wasn't brooding or dark. He did a good job playing an honest character. And I also don't consider American Psycho to be a brooding role either. That role actually has a lot of range to it, assuming one has the right sense of humor while viewing it.

Fully agree with you on 3:10 to Yuma.

The Fighter. Look it up.

Was that already released?

 

[redfirebird2008]

Fully agree with you on 3:10 to Yuma.



Was that already released?

Coming in late 2010. There have been some early screenings of it (unfinished version obviously) and the reviews have been pretty strong for Bale's performance. Look for pictures of him and you'll see that it's another Machinist-type physical transformation. This time he plays a former crack addict who used to be a great boxer and trains his younger brother (played by Mark Wahlberg). From what I've seen so far, apparently Bale stole the show from Wahlberg.

 

[Figs]

Coming in late 2010. There have been some early screenings of it (unfinished version obviously) and the reviews have been pretty strong for Bale's performance. Look for pictures of him and you'll see that it's another Machinist-type physical transformation. This time he plays a former crack addict who used to be a great boxer and trains his younger brother (played by Mark Wahlberg). From what I've seen so far, apparently Bale stole the show from Wahlberg.

I've seen the pictures from way back, when the thread for that movie was fairly active and yes, he lost a **** ton of weight again.

Not suprised he stole the show from Wahlberg though. I think Wahlberg is a fairly good actor(just picks too many stinkers) but I think Bale is far better.

 

[daywalker2007]

come on people,

we all know Bale is the superior.

Only Bale could do something as awesome as this as a kid!!

[YT]DT4U1tCFJbk[/YT]

Win win win!!!

Bale Wins!

 

[TheFuture]

Ever since The Departed DiCaprio has excelled, his hit ratio has been 100%, Bale has yet to reach that kind of consistentcy. That being said in terms of ability I don't think there's much between the two, neither of them touch the likes of Russell Crowe and Sean Penn IMO.

 

[Figs]

Ever since The Departed DiCaprio has excelled, his hit ratio has been 100%, Bale has yet to reach that kind of consistentcy. That being said in terms of ability I don't think there's much between the two, neither of them touch the likes of Russell Crowe and Sean Penn IMO.

I don't know about Crowe. I think he's kind of lost his edge.

 

[redfirebird2008]

I don't know about Crowe. I think he's kind of lost his edge.

I agree. I did feel he was quite good in State of Play though.

 

[TheFuture]

I don't know about Crowe. I think he's kind of lost his edge.

He has picked a few films lately that I have no desire to see. The Robin Hood choice is just strange too. All the same, on form he's one of the best.

 

[Two-Face]

I say Bale is better actor, not that DiCaprio is crap or anything.

 

[Crook]

If that is directed at me, then all I can say is you are reading way too much into my phrase about DiCaprio delivering his lines in a more emotional manner than Bale. That is a statement of fact. You have even said that Bale doesn't put enough energy into his performances, so you should probably agree with my assessment. I never implied that DiCaprio was "trying too hard" at being an actor. I merely noted the difference in their deliveries. I can't speak for the other guy who originally made the point.

I thought it was clear it wasn't directed you. Two people explicitly stated Leo was trying too hard, so I was referencing them.

 

[redfirebird2008]

I thought it was clear it wasn't directed you. Two people explicitly stated Leo was trying too hard, so I was referencing them.

Since when is using the word "everyone" and responding to me in particular a clear sign that it's not directed at me?

 

[Crook]

Since when is using the word "everyone" and responding to me in particular a clear sign that it's not directed at me?

1) "Everyone" is a common exaggeration, but it's an understood substitution for "mostly everyone". There's a lot of people who think Leo isn't a true actor for whatever reason.
2) It was in it's own paragraph, hence separate topic.
3) I was talking to you, only in the sense I was letting you know what I was confused about. If the question was meant for you (it wasn't), I would have asked you directly (which I didn't).

 

[Cmill216]

When I hear of actors like DiCaprio, Depp, DDL doing a new role...my eyes light up with excitement. They always do something new, and they never lack the ability to hook you in. When I hear Bale gets a new role, I'm interested and I know he won't suck, but it doesn't exactly get me off my seat.

This.

Bale's a good actor, but I find him fairly overrated. And his body of work, IMO, doesn't back up the hype he gets from Internetians.

DiCaprio gets better with each film, and the dude flat out owned the 2000s. How he wasn't nominated for The Departed, though, remains a mystery to me.

 

[Bim]

DiCaprio gets better with each film, and the dude flat out owned the 2000s. How he wasn't nominated for The Departed, though, remains a mystery to me.

Have to agree with this and i feel the same way about Christian's American Psycho performance. How the academy ignored these two performances is beyond me

It's tough to pick between these guys for me, cause they're both fantastic actors and two of the ones i'm always keeping an eye on what they'll come up with next. As far as who's more talented, i dont think i can give an answer

As far as having a better career, i would say maybe Leo has managed a bit more recognition, while Bale hasnt managed this. So if ur gonna measure success in terms of award nominations and such, it's Leo. They both have such different careers though, but i do have to say i do with Bale would diversify a bit more in terms of his character choices, i do feel he's picked the tormented, dark type a bit too much. I'm not saying he should do a romantic comedy here but maybe a character that doesnt go to the extreme.

 

[Iceman]

DiCaprio is an amazing actor for his age, in fact the best for his age. I think he will go on to become an all time great in another 20 to 30 years when he actually starts to look more like a man lol.

Bale also is a very good actor, but we didn't see the best of him in Batman. He has shown a lot in his early roles but is certainly better at playing outcasts than a regular guy.

On acting alone, I think DiCaprio is better on what we've seen so far.

 

[Matt]

^When someone says bales best doesn't touch dicaprio at his WORST...then commences to talk about how people on this board are BIASED. Well...it doesn't make much sense to me.

His point about Bale's best being worse than DiCaprio's worst shows his own bias though. He undermines his own credibility with that kind of statement.

wait wtf
I dunno if you're being sarcastic or you posted this to simply piss off (bat) fans but you can't possibly be serious about that comment.

Are you honestly going to tell me that Bale performance in American Psycho , Machinist , Rescue Dawn , The Prestige , Empire Of The Sun , Public Enemies , 3:10 To Yuma , Harsh Times is worse then Di Caprio in Titanic , The beach or Gangs Of new York .
Dude

Edit :
Christ typed the wrong word

Hypebole. Obviously The Machinist is not inferior to DiCaprio in Growing Pains. I think it goes without saying that I was being hyerbolic.

Never the less, compare Bale's best roles, probably The Machinist, American Psycho, and The Prestige, to some of DiCaprio's best, Catch Me If You Can, The Departed, and The Aviator (which is probably his best to date) and it becomes clear. Bale gives good performances, DiCaprio gives great performances. Bale gives DeNiro-level performances, DiCaprio gives Brando-esque performances. There just isn't a comparrison, DiCaprio is in a whole different league. Even his mid-range performances like Shutter Island and Blood Diamond blow not only Bale, but basically any other actor of the generation out of the water. Every generation has an actor that defines it. Welles, Brando, Pacino, Hanks, etc...DiCaprio is this generation's definitive actor. Only Johnny Depp even comes close.

And in response to someone responding that I'm a DiCaprio fanboy, not really. I'll see his movies because he is an astounding actor and his presence in them automatically elevate them to another level but that does not make me a "fanboy." I don't swoon over pictures of DiCaprio. I see Hanks' movies for the same reason. I see Depp's movies for the same reason. Its not about being a fanboy, its about appreciating the craft and while Bale is good, DiCaprio is better.

This.

Bale's a good actor, but I find him fairly overrated. And his body of work, IMO, doesn't back up the hype he gets from Internetians.

DiCaprio gets better with each film, and the dude flat out owned the 2000s. How he wasn't nominated for The Departed, though, remains a mystery to me.

That's simple. The Academy dislike's Scorsese immensely. They realized they could no longer hold an Oscar over his head without extreme backlash so they threw him a bone for The Departed and started taking out their dislike on his newest protege, DiCaprio. Thus they nominated the weaker of his roles that year (Blood Diamond) knowing he could not win for it, but had a fighting chance for The Departed.

Plus there is the whole notion of the Academy being inherrently biased against Italians floating around.

 

[Figs]

Hypebole. Obviously The Machinist is not inferior to DiCaprio in Growing Pains. I think it goes without saying that I was being hyerbolic.

Never the less, compare Bale's best roles, probably The Machinist, American Psycho, and The Prestige, to some of DiCaprio's best, Catch Me If You Can, The Departed, and The Aviator (which is probably his best to date) and it becomes clear. Bale gives good performances, DiCaprio gives great performances. Bale gives DeNiro-level performances, DiCaprio gives Brando-esque performances. There just isn't a comparrison, DiCaprio is in a whole different league. Even his mid-range performances like Shutter Island and Blood Diamond blow not only Bale, but basically any other actor of the generation out of the water. Every generation has an actor that defines it. Welles, Brando, Pacino, Hanks, etc...DiCaprio is this generation's definitive actor. Only Johnny Depp even comes close.

Matt...I fully agree. Well said!

 

[Brother Jack]

Why am I not surprised by this post by Matt? This is just an honest opinion of mine, but I'm sure you'll accuse me of superhero "bias" even though I've felt this way before Bale was ever in the Batman movies (and despite the fact that I will quickly call Nolan's Batman movies two of the most overrated ever): Bale's work in American Psycho is better than anything DiCaprio has done during their adult careers. DiCaprio's best work is actually in Gilbert Grape.

Agreed, although The Aviator is a serious contender.

For me, it's easily Bale. I don't have anything against DiCaprio perse, but I've never seen him do some of the stuff that Bale has done. Even if you go back to Empire of the Sun, his first major performance, you can see his dedication.