Best child performance ever?

The kid from AI is remarkably talented, almost in a creepy way tho, and he has had a lot of experience. With the fact that this was essentially Bale's first movie, and it was an epic, and he was the lead, and he did it so well, I agree this is the best child performance ever.

Haley Joel Osment? Okay, he's a good actor, but AI sucked as a movie, come on. That was almost as bad as Bicentennial Man

Watch Ivan's Childhood. Russian black and white film with a child in war theme also.

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Just wanted to say that I'm with you on Eamon Owens in The Butcher Boy. Truly a remarkable film, and his performance is unbelievably good. Not once -- not for one second -- have I ever been able to imagine that he wasn't really Francie. Often with child performances, the kid's youth can be a distraction even when the acting's great -- part of your mind is saying "wonder how he learned how to cry on demand. . . ." etc. But Owens inhabits this character.

That said, until I saw "The Butcher Boy," I would have said Bale in EOTS was the best performance. I still think it is remarkable.

I think Bale was brilliant in this, but maybe the stylization and over-direction was Spielberg's fault? His movies centering around children are really from the child's POV, and I think this movie is no exception. Sort of Jim's fantasy vs. the harsh reality of the camp. I haven't seen the Butcher Boy, but will try and find it.

I agree with dbwilyumz..

I just saw this....and did not know Bale was the kid...

very stirring movie...
and great performance by Bale..