He is now widely revered as one of the greatest actors working today, and even though in his personal life he can be a little rough around the edges, Christian Bale is consistently picked by directors as a talented actor with whom they would like to work. Here are seven of his greatest performances, and believe us, we had to cut that down.
1. Batman - Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises
Yes, there had been more serious takes on comic book films, but Batman Begins changed everything. Bale gave such a depth to the winged crusader that he is arguably now described as the greatest Batman, outing the much-loved Keaton. And that relationship with Alfred? Heartbreaking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk280jVuH1w
2. Jamie Graham - Empire of the Sun
At 13, Bale's turn as Jamie, an English boy who struggled to survive under Japanese occupation in World War II, was noted as one of the most impressive performances from a child that Hollywood had witnessed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ1wE7Fx9a8
3. Patrick Bateman - American Psycho
If you have ever watched American Psycho, you will be entirely aware of the fact that this role wasn't exactly the easiest to play. Bateman, a wealthy New York banker has a pretty dangerous hobby; killing just about everyone he wants to. However, with Bale, the line is constantly blurred and his erratic behaviour mixed with complete normality will leave you constantly on edge. It is perhaps one of his best performances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ruw9fsh3PNY
4. Trevor Reznik - The Machinist
Just before Bale began filming Batman, he was cast in the brilliant Machinist. Most of the hype around the film was Bale's huge weight loss for the role, which he subsequently turned into muscle for Batman. However, many miss that his turn as Trevor is disturbing, unnerving and altogether insane.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XzMSCJjqMs
5. Alfred Borden - The Prestige
Another collaboration with Nolan, the brilliant Prestige focused on two rivals who constantly battled each other to become the magician with the better reputation. Bale's character Borden was multi-dimensial, layered and completely unpredictable, just like his magic trick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkxdQ27kJs8
6. Dicky Eklund - The Fighter
It is most certainly a requirement that you watch this right to the end to see how well Christian Bale actually played the character, there is barely any difference between Dicky and Bale's interpretation of him and the depth to his performance is astounding with that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WQ1FT4h6Ko
7. Irving Rosenfeld - American Hustle
His latest offering as a small-time con man who becomes involved in an undercover FBI mission proves how far Bale is prepared to go for any given project. Sure, American Hustle is all shiny lights but there is something to Irving, something a little bit vulnerable that Bale manages to pull off amidst his pompous nature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_M3wRmWKms
