We currently live in an age where the term “movie star” has become a bit outdated. Actors’ popularity has become eclipsed by franchise recognition or famous IP—Robert Downey Jr.is famous, sure, but audiences aren’t flocking toThe Judge, they’re turning out for Marvel movies. However, while the traditional “movie star” moniker may be dying, there are still a number of performers who instill curiosity with each and every choice, and certainlyChristian Baleis among them.
Bale got his start as a child actor with memorable roles in films likeEmpire of the SunandNewsies, but throughout the 2000s he became known for his steadfast commitment to character. Physically and emotionally, Bale became something of a chameleon, always going the extra mile to transform himself into a sociopath, American hero, or Caped Crusader.
To whittle down Bale’s filmography (thus far) into a “best performances” list is to acknowledge you’re leaving great performances off said list. So while I’ve crafted a Top 5 here, there are easily 10 more performances from Bale in other films that are noteworthy. And yes, I’m aware Bale was in three Batman movies—but my reasoning for leaving thoseoffthis list is that he’s solid inBatmanBegins, but Bruce/Batman kinda gets upstaged by the villains and plot in the other two movies. Not his fault, nor the films', but there are five films in which he’snotupstaged where he’s given the room to give better performances.
Christian Bale is one of our greatest living actors; a man capable of incredible transformation. And these are his best performances so far.
5. The Machinist
Over the course of his career, Christian Bale has become known for his physical transformations. Never is this clearer than in 2004’sThe Machinist, the film that directly preceded his turn as Bruce Wayne/Batman inBatman Begins. Bale dropped 62 pounds for the role of a tortured, delusional machinist whose descent into madness is well-chronicled, and while the physical sight of Bale in the film is shocking, he doesn’t simply let his physical transformation do all the work. He imbues the character with a tragic quality, and it’s a performance that was not soon forgotten.
It’s a testament to Bale’s talent that when he was first announced as the lead in writer/directorAdam McKay’s satire about former Vice PresidentDick Cheney, initial reactions weren’t of shock but instead excitement.Of courseBale is capable of transforming into a man he looks absolutely nothing like, and not only does Bale physically look the part inVice, but he captures the essence of Dick Cheney in tremendous detail. Or at least the essence of Cheney through McKay’s eyes, asViceadmittedly takes a very subjective view of its subject. But Bale shines throughout, and when he delivers Cheney’s final jaw-dropping monologue directly into the camera, the actor’s boundless talent is abundantly clear.
3. The Fighter
Bale’s one and only Oscar win came for his transformative turn as addict and former boxer Dicky Eklund inDavid O. Russell’s 2010 boxing dramaThe Fighter. It’s a true supporting role toMark Wahlberg’s lead character, but you come away from the film unable to shake Dicky from your mind. Bale’s work here is subtle and genius, imbuing the character with a sense of fight, yes, but also tremendous sadness. It’s perhaps one of Bale’s most empathetic characters thus far.
2. American Psycho
American Psychois a film full of iconic moments, but the one I can never get out of my head is when Bale’s Patrick Bateman waxes poetic aboutHuey Lewis and the Newswhile preparing to murder a man with an ax. While on the surface one may assume that playing Patrick Bateman is a pretty straightforward task—he’s a sexy sociopath!—what Bale and directorMary Harronactually crafted was a whip-smart satire about masculinity and consumption. Bale’s performance is completely fearless and without ego. He’s unafraid to come off looking like a psycho or a fool, and it’s that fearlessness that’s consistently makes him one of our most interesting actors.
1. The Prestige
Perhaps a bit of a controversial #1 choice, but Bale’s dual performances inThe Prestigeare a miraculous tightrope walk of nuance. Yes his turn as Bruce Wayne/Batman inChristopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy is swell, but the Wayne character is consistently kind of upstaged by villains or plot in those movies, and so the best Bale/Nolan collaboration—from a performance standpoint—isThe Prestige. Bale is playing two characters at once who themselves are playing one character, and the subtle nuances he brings out to distinguish Alfred from Fallon are masterful in their execution. It’s a soulful, heartbreaking turn in one of Nolan’s very best films, and it serves as Bale’s best performance to date. Although considering the actor’s talent, there’s no reason to think his best is behind him.
