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That rare child actor to evolve into an indomitable leading man, Bale is notoriously dismissive of celebrity.
And it feels like anything but art; it feels as far from art as you could ever get.
And then other moments where you go, I love it!
Theres all that crap that goes with it.
I love it as well.
That intensity can cut both ways.
WithThe Pale Blue Eyenow streaming on Netflix, weve decided to revisit the actors career.
(In at least one instance, Bales greatness easily outshines the projects.)
Even worse, this is one of Bales dutifully righteous performances, full of dull fire.
Like the rest ofThe Promise, he succumbs to an excess of worthiness.
Hammer), andthe posterreveals it to be theMatrixknockoff you already suspected it would be.
As it turned out, the Bale-Diggs combo would not go on to become box-office gold.
35.Exodus: Gods and Kings(2014)
Holy Moses, is this movie silly.
(Otherwise, its all just laughable.)
When the character is as dynamic and complex as Batman, it works.
But when its a drab Moses who comes across as a pale rewrite of Russell CrowesGladiatorcharacter, it doesnt.
The movie is slow and turgid and forgettable, so much so that laterTerminatorsequels would pretend it never happened.
This does not make the film that much easier to watch.
But it still feels like a rough draft for just about everyone involved.
But he was getting there.
30.A Midsummer Nights Dream(1999)
In the mood for Bale in a light Shakespearean comedy?
There have been movies where other people have said to me Youre nuts for doing this!
This movie is not good … but it doesnt go badly wrong, either.
Bale is a little dull here, but by design.
He can play normal, everyday people if you want him to.
Bale gives Rolfe a little gravitas, but its not a particularly memorable part.
(He and Malick would team up later for a meatier role about a decade later.)
The movie is very, very dated, but Bales performance isnt.
He does nothing halfway.
(Except for the screaming goats.)
His energy is wasted.
But the film was a financial disaster, on par withHoward the DuckandIshtar.
(It actually got six Razzie nominations, and won Worst Original Song.)
Its sort of remarkable to think now, because, hey, the movies pretty good!
And it has a good message for kids!
Theres an inherent troublemaking nature to him that cant be repressed by the big Disney musical.
And he can dance too.
Can we see him dance like this again?
The more Russell stops and focuses on Bale, the better the film is.
But the mess that surrounds Bales performances makes it ultimately impossible to find anything to latch onto.
Instead, Bale portrays Landor as a tortured, grieving widower with a secret in his past.
Its a good performance and another sign of how he never sleepwalks through anything.
But it still might not have been worth his time.
Which is to say: We might be the only people on the planet who likeKnight of Cups.
Ignore all the other stuff and just watch Bale.
Hes consistent, even when nothing else in the film is.
A little underrated,Rescue Dawnis ripe for rediscovery.
But to date,Public Enemiesis their only collaboration, although its a really good one.
Bales startling as a good guy whos in danger of going bad.
Its a relatively small performance, but its fairly remarkable how much Bale looms over the entire film.
His smug iciness here would serve him well playing both Patrick BatemanandBruce Wayne.
And goodness, is he chillingly convincing as a racist prick.
No wonder this film and these performances have earned cult status.
8.The Machinist(2004)
Bale famously lost 62 pounds getting down to 120!
And fortunately, he did eventually start eating again.
But you’ve got the option to see the overlap here.
you’re able to both see the actor he was, and the one he would become.
This is also one of the few movies where Bale plays a father.
Hes excellent at it.
Which is why its all the more remarkable how centered and focused Bale is.
Other elements ofThe Big Shortare funnier, but Bale is perhaps the films most soulful individual.
TheDarkKnightfilms (2005, 2008, 2012)
What right did an English actor have playing Bruce Wayne?
Also, Heath Ledger and Christopher Nolan were the ones who madeThe Dark Knighta masterpiece.
And, seriously, what was up with that growly Batman voice?
And you know what?
Shes sort of right.
Bales fearlessness and total commitment found the perfect role and director here, and hell never match it.
Now, if youll excuse him, he has to return some videotapes.
