Christian Bale life and biography

Some movies are meant to explode because of their exceptional cast. But some others are simply a boom because of the story plot or the director. Taking the example of “Empire of the Sun” (1987). Having successfully directed “E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial” and “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” in 1982 and 1984 consecutively, Steven Spielberg drew attention more than any other directors. His movie had always been awaited. Thus, when “Empire of the Sun” was released, every movie fan was just pleased. The visually generated film had absorbed praise and even collected as many as 6 Oscar nominations. Sadly, none of the nominations were pointed at the young lead actor, who was actually the 'spirit' of the movie, at least not yet. The newborn actor was indeed promising and was none other than Christian Bale.

Throughout his life Bale had been closely attached to the world of showbiz. Born on January 30, 1974 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, his father David Bale, had been the double cast of John Wayne in “Hatari!” (1962), but David was actually a pilot stationed at RAF Brawdy. His mother, Jenny James was a circus performer and she would often take Bale to her workplace. Little Bale started his own career at age of 9. Like many other actors, he went through the same 'commercial-theater- TV' order before eventually coming to movies. His first job was to appear in Pac-Man cereal and Lenor ad before making a West End stage debut in “The Nerd” (1985) alongside British actor, Rowan Atkinson. The root of his success was started as early as his first TV movie “Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna” (1986) where Steven Spielberg's then-wife, Amy Irving played the lead role. Noticing the young talent, Amy recommended her husband to observe Bale who went to the audition of “Empire of the Sun”. Upon reading the script, Bale impressed Spielberg and immediately taken for the lead role.

It was good news, but the bad news was having a father whose profession required a lot of traveling that Bale and his family had to live nomadically for 13 years before finally settled in Bournemouth for the longest time. His mother had enough of living that way. She decided to get a divorce and David Bale would later on marry Gloria Steinem in 2000. By the time he was 14, Bale had starred in “Empire of the Sun” and actively pursuing this field with his father acted as his manager. The young actor was also not ready to take the hardship of international showbiz. During a press release to promote “Empire of the Sun” he felt frustrated by the constant bombardment of questions and chose to ignore the journalists. “It was horrific. I was almost crying in interviews and running away during press conferences, pretending I was going to the bathroom and just disappearing.” His school life at Bournemouth School for Boys was not good either. Envied by most of his schoolmates, he was bullied. Even winning Best Juvenile Performance from America's National Board of Review could not cure the soreness. For two years, he refused to perform again.

“Henry V” (1989) marked the beginning of his lifted up spirit. Leaving the school at the age of 16, he was back on track to direct his life towards acting. Saying goodbye to the imprint Christian 'Empire of the Sun' Bale, he said yes for the lead role in “Newsies” (1992). Though the movie wasn't exactly a bang, Bale was all set for his next movie “Little Women” (1994). Recommended by Winona Ryder, he played Laurie, the neighbor of the March.

Next, he provided the voice of Thomas, the inexperienced settler in “Pocahontas” (1995). His first adult role was in the movie adaptation of Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream” (1999). As Demetrius, he was one of the four youngsters who were wrongly in love with. This movie teamed him up with great players, such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Kevin Kline, Calista Flockhart and Rupert Everett.

For one thing, Bale dislikes to be trapped in the same character. “I'd love to remain a secret and still work, but I also want people to see the movies I'm in and get a higher profile because of that. I like to think that as long as you continue choosing diverse roles, you can avoid becoming predictable.” He proved it by fleeing from the romantic Demetrius to Patrick Bateman, a stockbroker who served his alter ego to kill whoever went through his way in “American Psycho” (2000). This character was extremely challenging and at first Bale was doubt to be able to meet the standard. Together with director Mary Harron, they were interrupted by the changes made. It was reported that actor Leonardo DiCaprio and director Oliver Stone were interested in butting in this movie. However, due to the limited budget, they withdrew themselves. Bale and Harron was on again. The controversial movie gained Bale fame, money and also happiness. On Jan 29, 2000, he married his long time girlfriend, Sibi Blazic. He stated before that he imagined himself would make such commitment only in his thirties, but he couldn't resist to love and adore his new wife “What I love about my wife is that she's a really strong-minded, stubborn, fiery woman. I find that sexier than anything else.” He was most secretive about his private life, especially about the news on his wife's pregnancy, let alone the identity of his daughter. The child whose name wasn't revealed was born on March 27, 2005 at the Santa Monica hospital in California.

Striking while the iron is hot, Bale joined another big production titled “Captain Corelli's Mandolin” (2001). Nicolas Cage and Penelope Cruz took the leading roles. Bale was the fisherman who decided to join the Greek army. Ironically, while he was away, his fiancee, Cruz fell in love with an Italian officer, Cage. Based on a novel, this movie brought him to different kind of characterization, so distinct from his next role in “The Machinist” (2004). He ought to be praised for his willpower to dedicate himself to this role. Losing 63 pounds, he tried to resemble a character who was insomniac and schizophrenic. Through his performance, the character Trevor Reznik was looking like a painfully troubled person. Only to catch a breath, Bale had to restore his body shape within a year because he was about to play Bruce Wayne in “Batman Begins” (2005). While the previous productions of Batman told about his adventure fighting various enemies, this latest epic focused on how Bruce Wayne turned out to have super power and fight the bad people. The movie directed by Christopher Nolan was simply interesting for it answered the curiosity of Batman's fans about his nature. What's more, great hero like Batman definitely invited gamers to interfere in his actions. That was why the video game version was released by EA in the same year. Again, Bale filled in the voice of Bruce Wayne and so did most of the other actors starred in the movie.

If Batman was first popular in comic version, similarly, Pocahontas' story was first introduced as cartoon in 1995. Ten years later, New Line Cinema released it in life action under the title “The New World”. Bale was the supporting role as John Rolfe. In 2006, the Welsh actor played a real life character named Dieter Dengler in the movie “Rescue Dawn”. It was the story of a German- American pilot who was shot down and captured in Vietnam. Bale's fellow cast include Steve Zahn and Jeremy Davies. After that, he rejoined director Christopher Nolan and fellow actor Hugh Jackman in a sci-fi titled “The Prestige” (2006). Seemingly more interested in memoirs, Bale resumed his career by playing in “I'm Not There: Suppositions on a Film Concerning Dylan” (2006) along with other famous stars, such as Colin Farrell, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and Richard Gere. This movie was expected to be interesting as it was the personification of singer Bob Dylan in seven different aspects. Next, following the success of “Batman Begins”, the sequel had been announced for a 2008 release date. Bale was again involved in this project as the mighty Batman who fought the evil of the world.

Filmography

2011 : Killing Pablo
2011 : Untitled Terrence Malick Project
2010 : The Fighter
2009 : Public Enemies
2009 : Terminator Salvation
2008 : The Dark Knight
2007 : Rescue Dawn
2007 : I'm Not There
The Prestige InfoThe Prestige (2006)
Harsh Times InfoHarsh Times (2006)
The New World InfoThe New World (2005)
Batman Begins InfoBatman Begins (2005)
Hauru no ugoku shiro (2004)
Maquinista, El (2004)
Equilibrium (2002)
Reign of Fire (2002)
Laurel Canyon (2002)
Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001)
Shaft (2000)
American Psycho (2000)
Mary, Mother of Jesus (1999) - TM
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)
All the Little Animals (1998)
Velvet Goldmine (1998)
Pocahontas (1997) - VG
Metroland (1997)
The Portrait of a Lady (1996)
The Secret Agent (1996)
Pocahontas (1995)
Little Women (1994)
Prince of Jutland (1994)

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