Will Smith won’t costar opposite Tom Cruise. Harrison Ford never shared the screen with Tom Hanks. It’s the unspoken law of the Hollywood jungle: The alpha-males constantly circle each other, defending their own box office turf, while keeping a constant eye on (and distance from) the competition.
Which makes Christian Bale such a refreshing exception. Batman might work alone, but Bale has no qualms about sharing top-billing. Witness: The Prestige with Hugh Jackman. 3:10 to Yuma with Russell Crowe. The Dark Knight with Heath Ledger, of course. In Terminator Salvation, his John Connor takes a back seat to Sam Worthington’s character’s odyssey. And in July’s Public Enemies and 2010′s The Fighter, he’ll partner with Johnny Depp and Mark Wahlberg, respectively.
Despite what that infamous on-set audio recording may have led you to believe, Bale’s professional resume bears no trace of an ego. He seems to have a preternatural understanding that the most interesting and challenging characters aren’t necessarily the flashiest. When he played a Nazi who betrays his friends in Swing Kids, he admitted to a reporter that he was drawn to play the weaker character. He was only 19 at the time. I’m not arguing that Bale is some highbrow contrarian — HE’S BATMAN! — but he’s earned a quality few actors twice his age ever attain: integrity. Essentially, he’s Robert Duvall in Robert Redford’s body.
Bale is gradually building a remarkable body of work, but I’m discouraged that his roles in films like Rescue Dawn and 3:10 to Yuma have been neglected by most prestigious awards. Do you think his daringly modest career choices represent a long-term strength or weakness? Have they hurt his career in any way? Can you think of other actors who are so indifferent about the unspoken laws of Hollywood Leading Men?
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Yes, I can think of another… Russell Crowe, Bale’s co-star in Yuma. Crowe likes to work with the strongest casts possible as it elevates everyone’s games, and he’s not always jockeying for best camera angle, most screen time or best lines. The two of them were complementary in 3:10 to Yuma, which is why the film works so well.
I think it’s the producers and studios who like to keep their top guns separate, and budget restraints.
i have been a fan of Christian Bale since Empire of the Sun – and I am constantly in awe of his talent.
I am a big Bale fan and have been since I first saw newsies at around 6 (haha I know). He really is an amazing actor. I have been really surprised how he has been ignored for any big awards after his performances in films like The Machinist and American Psycho. So far I have seen 18 of his films, and no matter the part he has played in these films I can see his dedication to the part and see what drew him to it. I like that he takes chances. Anyway, his rant really didn’t make him like him any less. To tell you the truth, there are many days at my work where I wish I could do the same thing…;) Of course, it should not have happened, but I did not think it was the end of the world or he should be boycotted for it. I always look forward to seeing his next film and will continue to do so.
Not sure if you would count Bruce Willis, but he’s been known to take a smaller role, if it was good enough. (Pulp Fiction comes to mind).
I think Christian Bale is THE epitome of the Academy’s seeming bias against modest work. You’re totally right about the roles he chooses, and it sucks that he hasn’t won more awards.
But you’re right, he has earned his stripes. For sure. And it shows–he’s a HUGE name, even despite the rant (which I think won’t translate to lower box office numbers)
Yeah, Bale is amassing a fantastic career. I’m shocked he hasn’t been an Oscar nominee…
But what is your proof of those opening sentences? “Will Smith won’t costar opposite Tom Cruise. Harrison Ford never shared the screen with Tom Hanks.” Of course, Harrison never did, but what proof is there that they both avoided it? Or wouldn’t co-star together?
I’m a big Bale fan. Aside from his recent choices, he’s always seemed to be exclusively in movies for the art of it – a true believer of sorts. As far as his tantrum goes, I don’t think I could so easily excuse it had I been on the receiving end, but I think anyone who has worked with a particularly intense/dedicated person could understand how this might have happened and not necessarily see this as the sole reflection of his/her character.
For me the most recent and obvious Hollywood “alphas” would be George Clooney and Brad Pitt.
First, I wouldn’t say he “shared” top billing with Heath Ledger (who was not quite the mega star that Russel Crowe or Hugh Jackman are- at least not until AFTER TDK), and he certainly is NOT taking a backseat to Sam Worthington in the new Terminator movie(wtf?)
But I agree that he is a phenomenal talent, with great taste in movies, and I’ve always admired his willingness to share the screen with other big names. But it is no secret about how seriously Bale takes his work, and he doesn’t exactly have the reputation of being the sweetest guy in the world. I don’t find his on-set tantrum misleading at all.
It happens..
I have literally seen every one of his movies, and not only are his choices fascinating, and the roles he plays interesting, his chemistry with each male co-star is usually fantastic. I can’t say that about most male leads-he just seems to be able to make it work. And I love that, which is why I’m such a fan of his and could give a big s&&t about a tantrum he throws at work. If the guy can portray a character authentically starring along another male actor, he’s in rare form. Steve Zahn, his costar in Rescue Dawn, said via a radio interview in Chicago that Bale was one of the coolest and funniest guys he’s ever worked with. I imagine the rest of his A-list costars would say the same. Why do we want to vilify a guy who had one five minute meltdown but has been working his butt off the past 3-4 years, putting out great work? Start picking on people who put out crap, like McConaughey.
I like Christian Bale as an actor (as a human, he seems a little huffy), but likely it’s because he can’t headline a movie, no box office draw, his name alone on the top of the marquee is not enough. So I think it’s more career strategy on his part, pony-up with bigger names and your films gets seen in the theatre. They are nowhere near the same acting level, but this stategy works for Jennifer Aniston, when she’s with a big star (Jim Carrey, Ben Stiller, ensemble), it’s a hit, but alone with a lesser known actor (Steve Zahn) and it’s a mega-bomb.
I think even though he’s getting these great roles, he’s still underappreciated. To think he’s never been nominated for an academy award shows how ridiculous the whole awards process is now. I think just about everyone would name him as one of the top 5 actors under 50. Lastly, whoever says they will boycott Christian Bale or Tom Cruise movies because they diagree with something they did or said, those people are idiots.
Christian Bale has been one of my all-time favorite actors since Swing Kids. He inhabits his roles in a way that the big name, constantly in the paparazzi news stars can’t do (I’m talking to you, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise). He’s refreshingly humble, and I always see anything he is in. I may not always love the movie, but I’m always amazed by Bale’s tremendous acting skills and his uncanny ability to make me compeletely forget that it’s Christian Bale.
Hmmmmmm…Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon in the Oceans movies…Russell Crowe and Denzel in a couple of movies together…Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr. (and Tom Cruise, for that matter) in Tropic Thunder…the entire cast of The Departed…?
That’s just off the top of my head
I agree with the first poster. Russell Crowe is the best comparison. He took a back seat to Denzel in American Gangster just b/c he loves working w/ Ridley Scott and he thought it’d be a good flick. To me Bale does the same thing. Wish more actors would follow their lead.