A Career in Three Films: Christian Bale by Peatree Bojangles

This guy is an utter bastard. You’ve all heard the sound clip from when he screamed at a light technician on the set of Terminator 4? Yeah, you all know. He’s a stuck up Welsh bastard with delusions of American grandeur. Despite being a bellend, he is a brilliant actor. These three films are examples of true brilliance in his career.

The Machinist (2004) Dir. Brad Anderson

Bale often goes to extremes to prepare for roles and The Machinist is by far his biggest transformation; he lost 63lbs in a matter of months for this part. His body is terrifying, a lot of the time depicting a skeletal figure – the skeleton of a man he once was.

Bale plays Reznik, a tortured man, unable to sleep or eat. He lives alone in an apartment and works in a machinery factory. Plagued by living nightmares and conspiracy theories, he tries to figure out why someone is attempting to ruin his life and why nothing makes sense anymore. He makes friends with a single mother working as a waitress, and forms a strong relationship. Reznik creates a world for himself, hiding from the reality of something he once did. In this new world, his conscience is forcing him to remember his crime, and these moments are Reznik’s conspiracy theories. While battling his mind, he destroys the world he created for himself and reality crumbles onto him.

Bale plays Reznik so well, in emotion and appearance, that I always forget it’s him until the very end. I’ve always said an actor is good when you don’t see them as the actor, but as the character. I don’t want to watch Christian Bale have a breakdown, because that wouldn’t make any sense. Reznik having a full mental and physical failure is nothing short of perfect.

The hidden clues and clever puzzles in this film keep you guessing. Bale’s performance is so believable; as his body crumbles into his skeleton, so does his mind. When the truth is unveiled, Bale’s breakdown is wonderful and he is finally able to sleep. Which is nice, but I wish he also ate. Catwalk models have nothing on him. I’m even considering trying his diet, without the mental breakdown. Guys like skeletons, right?

The Prestige (2006) Dir. Christopher Nolan

This one’s easy because Bale is a twat who plays a twat. So, maybe it isn’t his best character acting film? I’m adding it nonetheless, because he plays himself as a twat really well.

If you haven’t seen this, which quite a few people haven’t (fucking do it, you idiots), the story is of Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale; two magicians in London, trying to outdo each other with the wildest and most fantastic illusions. Sounds a bit dire, I know; I thought the same, but it truly is a magical and mind boggling film. It even has a surprise appearance by David Bowie as Tesla, and it’s always a delight to see Bowie on film. Labyrinth bulge lulz.

Bale has a cockney accent, which isn’t too difficult for him, as he has a British accent anyway. At times you feel he overplays the accent a bit and then you remember what century this film is based in and everyone sounded like idiots then anyway. He plays a father,a husband, a magician, a friend, a traitor, an enemy and a fool all in one character and, by God, does he play it well. He fooled even me, and I never fall for anyone’s tricks. Okay, that’s a lie.

Hugh Jackman plays his nemesis, and I’ll just admit now that I really don’t feel anything towards Hugh Jackman. He’s so ‘meh’. Also, he played Wolverine in those films that upset me, so I don’t like to think about him. Scarlett Johansson’s in it, if that helps? Seriously, watch it. It’s a wonderful film.

American Psycho (2000) Dir. Mary Harron

Ahh, the classic. I shouldn’t really have to mention anything about this film, as most people would at least be aware of , even if they haven’t seen it. It put Bret Easton Ellis on the literary map, which is wonderful as I hear another of his books is being considered for a big-screen adaptation. Don’t know which though. Do you? Tell me.

Bale plays this role with such perfection that it gives me shivers. I fell in love with him and I am definitely not attracted to Christian Bale. Good body, weird face. The kind that you’d turn over and do from behind, but it really wouldn’t work in this case. Unless he was into that. But I’m not. Well… I could try something new. Buuuut, it’s Christian Bale and not Patrick Bateman and Christian Bale is a bellend. Maybe I could force it on him and cause him physical pain. Why am I still typing?

His perfect exterior, expensive suits, perfect girlfriend (played by Reese Witherspoon’s chin), and high-flying executive job are a mask for his darkness. The beauty lies in his obsession to keep this mask pristine. His routines are strict and always kept at the highest standard. His mask begins to fall as he loses control and the darkness becomes more prevalent. He begins killing more openly and the police become aware of him.

The seemingly perfect Patrick Bateman and the murderous, ravenous killer are both portrayed flawlessly by Bale. As with most books converted to film, the read is much more entertaining, but this film wouldn’t have been as successful without Bale. Also, he axes Jared Leto, which is always fun to watch.

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