Has Christian Bale Lost Steam?

[Ratcrawler]

I don't think he lost steam at all. I just think there's some Hollywood curse that won't allow a leading actor to star in two major franchises at the same time. Like with Jackman in Van Helsing...

 

[Tony Stark]

I thought he was excellent in 3:10 to Yuma, although Russel Crowe was the big standout in that film. But I think Bale had the more difficult role to play and it was very different in that he's not this macho tough guy, but a one legged rancher trying to make a living for his family.

As far as TDK, guys I know this may sound sacreligious, but outside of Heath that movie is average at best. The movie really has no character development, it's more of a character study, an experiment. Heath made the movie interesting, and worth watching. Bale had much less to do than he did in Begins, he was pretty much an afterthought.

As far as TS, I said it before on the other thread. It's pretty obvious Bale thought the movie sucked, and his performance reflected that. He was shockingly bad, to the point it was embarassing, but part of that should fall on McG.

I don't think he's lost steam, I just think he's been in movies recently that have not taken advantage of his acting ability.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

I'm not gonna start blindly defending TDK, because I also think it is over-rated.

But how can you say there is no character development? Harvey Dent was brilliantly characterized. As was Gordon.

 

[Nivek]

even the okay Terminator 4 is still in the top 6 after 2 weeks of massive releases, so I don't think he's "lost it".

 

[Cain]

I'm not gonna start blindly defending TDK, because I also think it is over-rated.

But how can you say there is no character development? Harvey Dent was brilliantly characterized. As was Gordon.

Yes indeed.

 

[baerrtt]

Bale's intense style of acting is in danger of becoming one-note largely because he's, dare I say it, picking blockbuster roles where he knows that he's likely to be overshadowed by another performer with a much more 'vivid' part (Ledger, Worthington, Depp).

A comedy would be interesting simply as a reminder/proof that Christian's breakthrough role was broadly comic (AMERICAN PSYCHO) or another dramatic film where he's the bonafide centrepiece (HARSH TIMES, RESCUE DAWN etc). Because otherwise there is a perception, after last Summer's 'incident' with his mum and sister plus the now infamous rant, that the Bale we're seeing onscreen (dour, angry) is THE real man and for an actor who loves playing very different characters from film to film that can be a hassle in the long run.

 

[daywalker2007]

i agree, Bale needs to do a comedy pronto.
i don't he has really done one yet, American psycho doesn't really count, that was more satire.

 

[DACrowe]

Hardly. Ledger overshadowed him because he got the scenery-chewing part and the great work Bale, Oldman and Eckhart did got overlooked. Rest assured when Batman 3 rolls around Batman will not be overshadowed. And in Terminator he wasn't overshadowed, he was given the thinner role that was not very well written and had no arc. That is the fault of bad writing and direction unable to have a focus.

He has also done REscue Dawn where he gave an amazing performance, The Prestige where he overshadowed the equally impressive Hugh Jackman and 3:10 to Yuma where he held his own as an equal with Russell Crowe making for an amazing relationship dynamic on the screen.

He just isn't afraid to do roles where he has the biggest role. Public Enemies looks amazing, he is doing fine as an actor other than possibly making the mistake of doing Terminator 4.

 

[DACrowe]

I don't think he lost steam at all. I just think there's some Hollywood curse that won't allow a leading actor to star in two major franchises at the same time. Like with Jackman in Van Helsing...

Or like with Harrison Ford in Star Wars and Indiana...Jones....yeah.

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

I don't think Bale has lost steam, but I thinking he's been in too many films recently and upcoming.

 

[SWAT]

i agree, Bale needs to do a comedy pronto.
i don't he has really done one yet, American psycho doesn't really count, that was more satire.

I agree.

 

[GhostPoet]

LOL, sorry. wrong thread. hey! I only had 2 hours sleep.

 

[Project862006]

bale is'nt in Sherlock Holmes lol you probably thinking mark strong

 

[Wiseman]

I don't think he is (I know i'm late coming into this thread)
I mean, he's in Sherlock Holmes which looks FANTASTIC. I think he's just diversifying a bit more.

Umm..........what????

 

[TheRunningMan]

Or like with Harrison Ford in Star Wars and Indiana...Jones....yeah.

or stallone in rocky and rambo.

 

[Poetic Chaos]

Bale was never a draw so he's pretty much performing as always but in more public roles.

 

[nocomics]

I don't think hes lost 'steam' or whatever u wanna call it, I think hes been a pretty consistant actor. I think hes been pretty diverse on the roles he's taken,but hes fallen into the same acting style in most imo.
Hes had a good career so far and long as he picks the right scripts he will have had a solid career. Movies like American Psycho,The Machinist,The Prestige,Equillibrium have been imo his better acting jobs. Now with the big roles like Batman,Terminator,and now Public Enemies his name is out there more and with that more critizism goes with it.
Whether u think hes a good actor or not hes 'popular actor' so he's gonna get more roles until the audience tires of him.

 

[-JKR-]

And that's a risk, with people bashing him constantly because of that "rant".

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Those people are idiots.

 

[-JKR-]

Yeah, but there's so much of those idiots...

 

[Prison Mike]

Bale needs to do a romantic comedy or something. loosen up. All these serious roles are going to make him crazy. But no, I don't think he's lost steam. Every role he's chosen happened to be an ensemble role (except American Psycho and maybe Equilibrium). Maybe he likes working with well established actors more than being a starring vehicle himself?

 

[MadVillainy]

Lol i dont know about a rom-com but I wouldnt mind seeing Bale in a more comical role.
It would be cool to see him do a black comedy like In Bruges

 

[BestGirl]

Lol i dont know about a rom-com but I wouldnt mind seeing Bale in a more comical role.
It would be cool to see him do a black comedy like In Bruges

I can see him doing that. It's hard to imagine him in some light-hearted comedy or romcom.

 

[Cain]

I can see him doing that. It's hard to imagine him in some light-hearted comedy or romcom.

Which is exactly why he needs to go that route to prove to people he's got the range to go anywhere he needs to as an actor. Too many people I know are already pigeonholing him as "intense and boring" cause of his recent roles. He needs to diversify a bit. You know why everybody loved Mel Gibson? cause he could go from something like Bird On A Wire to Lethal Weapon 2 and Forever Young and back again.

 

[Prison Mike]

Lol i dont know about a rom-com but I wouldnt mind seeing Bale in a more comical role.
It would be cool to see him do a black comedy like In Bruges

maybe something like this...

credit goes to Johnny Drama