Normally I put a Leading Role together when I don't have any other blog ideas (is it possible that I only did 2 in 2010?), but after seeing Christian Bale's performance in The Fighter it seemed necessary (the idea was actually suggested by my man Gens, a loyal reader and friend of the blog). If you haven't seen The Fighter yet you're wasting your time reading this. Head to the theater. Christian Bale is almost certainly going to win the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. More on this later.
It's time to decide which of Bale's roles was his finest. In case you've forgotten, Leading Role works like this. Let's say that Christian Bale flips out on the set of his next movie (and clearly this wouldn't be out of the ordinary) and decides to walk away from acting all together (a la Joaquin Phoenix). Which of his previous roles would then be considered his magnum opus? Which would he be most closely associated with? For Bale, I think it really comes down to just two choices, but here are four nominees.
1.) Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (2000)
In this film Bale plays a yuppie investment banker who's obsessed with his outward image. He stresses over the font on his business card and which restaurants he can secure reservations at. The stress of maintaining this upscale persona eventually drives him into a psychopathic rage.
Most Memorable Lines:
Patrick Bateman: I live in the American Gardens Building on W. 81st Street on the 11th floor. My name is Patrick Bateman. I'm 27 years old. I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine. In the morning if my face is a little puffy I'll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1000 now. After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion. In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub. Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm followed by a final moisturizing protective lotion.
Patrick Bateman: I have to return some videotapes.
Patrick Bateman: Paul Allen has mistaken me for this dickhead Marcus Halberstram. It seems logical because Marcus also works at P&P and in fact does the same exact thing I do and he also has a penchant for Valentino suits and Oliver Peoples glasses. Marcus and I even go to the same barber, although I have a slightly better haircut.
Patrick Bateman: Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your asshole. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.
Patrick Bateman: I want you to clean your vagina.
Patrick Bateman: You're a fucking ugly bitch. I want to stab you to death, and then play around with your blood.
Patrick Bateman: I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.
Patrick Bateman: There are no more barriers to cross. All I have in common with the uncontrollable and the insane, the vicious and the evil, all the mayhem I have caused and my utter indifference toward it I have now surpassed. My pain is constant and sharp and I do not hope for a better world for anyone, in fact I want my pain to be inflicted on others. I want no one to escape, but even after admitting this there is no catharsis, my punishment continues to elude me and I gain no deeper knowledge of myself; no new knowledge can be extracted from my telling. This confession has meant nothing.
Patrick Bateman: Harold, it's Bateman, Patrick Bateman. You're my lawyer so I think you should know: I've killed a lot of people. Some girls in the apartment uptown uh, some homeless people maybe 5 or 10 um an NYU girl I met in Central Park. I left her in a parking lot behind some donut shop. I killed Bethany, my old girlfriend, with a nail gun, and some man uh some old faggot with a dog last week. I killed another girl with a chainsaw, I had to, she almost got away and uh someone else there I can't remember maybe a model, but she's dead too. And Paul Allen. I killed Paul Allen with an axe in the face, his body is dissolving in a bathtub in Hell's Kitchen. I don't want to leave anything out here. I guess I've killed maybe 20 people, maybe 40. I have tapes of a lot of it, uh some of the girls have seen the tapes. I even, um... I ate some of their brains, and I tried to cook a little. Tonight I, uh, I just had to kill a LOT of people. And I'm not sure I'm gonna get away with it this time. I guess I'll uh, I mean, ah, I guess I'm a pretty uh, I mean I guess I'm a pretty sick guy. So, if you get back tomorrow, I may show up at Harry's Bar, so you know, keep your eyes open.
Synopsis: I associate Bale with this role so much that everytime I type Bale I almost type Bateman instead. Patrick Bateman has become something of a cult hero among Americans in their 20's and 30's. I guess they can relate to the inner monologues and strange desire to murder annoying co-workers. Either way this self obsessed, neurotic, fantastical behavior seems very becoming of Bale and for that I think this is one of the two roles that he will be remembered for.
2.) Alfred Borden in The Prestige (2006)
In this film Bale plays a rival magician opposite Hugh Jackman living and performing in London in the late 1800's. The ability of Bale's character to perform a crowd attracting illusion drives Jackman's character mad trying to figure out the secret behind it.
Most Memorable Lines:
Alfred Borden: The secret impresses no one. The trick you use it for is everything.
Alfred Borden: Never show anyone. They'll beg you and they'll flatter you for the secret, but as soon as you give it up... you'll be nothing to them.
Alfred Borden: You went half way around the world... you spent a fortune... you did terrible things... really terrible things Robert, and all for nothing.
Synopsis: I don't think this was so much a great role for Bale as it was a great movie. I usually strongly dislike movies that aren't set in the present day (or close to it), but this film bucked that trend. Bale's character is central to the plot of the movie, although Jackman's is the protaganist, but the role doesn't exactly call for extraordinary acting ability. I can easily see people forgetting that it was Bale that played opposite of Jackman in this film and for that reason I can't proclaim this as his finest role.
3.) Bruce Wayne/Batman in The Dark Knight (2008)
In this film, one of my top ten of the past decade, Bale plays the billionaire industrialist and philanthropist Bruce Wayne as well as his alter ego, Batman (although Bale was surprisingly not credited for the role of Batman).
Most Memorable Lines:
Harvey Dent: The famous Bruce Wayne. Rachel's told me everything about you.
Bruce Wayne: I certainly hope not.
Alfred Pennyworth: I suppose they'll lock me up as well. As your accomplice...
Bruce Wayne: Accomplice? I'm going to tell them the whole thing was your idea.
The Joker: Oh, you. You just couldn't let me go, could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. You are truly incorruptible, aren't you? Huh? You won't kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness. And I won't kill you because you're just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever.
Batman: You'll be in a padded cell forever.
The Joker: Maybe we can share one. You know, they'll be doubling up, the rate this city's inhabitants are losing their minds.
Batman: This city just showed you that it's full of people ready to believe in good.
The Joker: Until their spirit breaks completely. Until they get a good look at the real Harvey Dent and all the heroic things he's done. You didn't think I'd risk losing the battle for Gotham's soul in a fistfight with you? No. You need an ace in the hole. Mine's Harvey.
Batman: What did you do?
The Joker: I took Gotham's white knight and I brought him down to our level. It wasn't hard. You see, madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little push!
Batman: You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. I can do those things because I'm not a hero, like Dent. I killed those people. That's what I can be
Lt. James Gordon: No, you can't! You're not!
Batman: I'm whatever Gotham needs me to be.
Lt. James Gordon: They'll hunt you.
Batman: You'll hunt me. You'll condemn me. Set the dogs on me. Because that's what needs to happen.
Batman: Because sometimes the truth isn't good enough, sometimes people deserve more. Batman: Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded...
Synopsis: Not only did Heath Ledger's Joker steal the show, but there isn't too much to the character of Bruce Wayne. He's an arrogant rich guy who flaunts his wealth. Plus Batman's morality is demonstrated more through his actions than his words. In this instance Bale's character is outshadowed by the film's greatness, which isn't exactly the worst thing in the world.
4.) Dicky Eklund in The Fighter (2010)
Bale plays Dicky Eklund, former professional boxer turned crack addict who serves as the trainer for his younger brother Mickey, who is an up and coming boxer himself.
Most Memorable Lines:
Dicky Eklund: This is my younger brother. Taught him everything he knows.
Dicky Eklund: Head, body, head.
Dicky Eklund: Mickey has a chance to do something that I never did and he needs me.
Dicky Eklund: This is your time. I had my turn and I blew it. You don’t have to.
Synopsis: Not only did I not want to ruin the movie for those of you that haven't seen it, but there are 4-5 other memorable quotes that I couldn't remember verbatim and couldn't find online. That said, Bale really got into character for this role. He lost an absurd amount of weight (something he's done before for The Machinist), nailed the mannerisms of Eklund- they show the real Eklund as the credits role, and had a better Boston accent than Mark Wahlberg. This is the first role of Bale's that has received critical acclaim and I think that he's the sure fire Oscar winner. It only makes sense then that this is the role he would be most remembered for.
My apologies to Bale's roles in Reign of Fire (2002), The Machinist (2004), 3:10 to Yuma (2007), and Public Enemies (2009) as I have not seen the films, but I highly doubt that any of them were as memorable as his work in American Psycho and The Fighter.
