MovieChat Forums > Velvet Goldmine (1998) Discussion > Bale's wonderful performance

Bale's wonderful performance

posted 12 years ago by mayani
17 replies | jump to latest

I haven't noticed people mentioning this performance when they're referring to his best ones. For me, this one is one of his finest.
He made Arthur convincingly awkward and sheepish, a character you can very easily sympathize with. I truly enjoyed his performance.
When the film got out, I admit I initially watched it for Ewan, but accidentally "discovered" Bale. :)

It is funny, I just read this post on the board, how Bale is not a diverse actor and how all of his roles are basically the same. I recommend watching this movie to anyone who feels that way.

[–] oobie-1 12 years ago

Uh he's a Brit- playing a freakin' Brit?! Your a genius. You really know acting I'm drunk, your IQ is zero.

[–] mayani 12 years ago

So, according to your "logic", a Brit playing a Brit is automatically less worthy than any other role that requires accent changing? Sure, sure, I can see myself changing my mind about Oldman's Tinker role. Or any other "native" one, for that matter.

You are not very perceptive. Or intelligent. Acting is more than accents. Yes, it adds a lot to a role if an actor can do what Bale does so well, all the time, apparently, but it is not a requirement.

You know, maybe you shouldn't post drunk.

[–] IFeedPigeons 11 years ago

He's not British, he was born in Wales.

And he does give a fantastic performance in this movie.

[–] hermione47 11 years ago

And Wales is where according to you????

[–] greg-goremykin 10 years ago

I think the point he was making is that Bale isn't speaking in his native accent (Welsh), but an English one, which negates the idiot 2nd poster on this thread's whole misguided argument. Americans sometimes get "Brit" mixed up with "English", whoops.

[–] mayani 9 years ago

2nd poster's argument is idiotic, I agree, but Bale never 'had' a Welsh accent, he grew up in England, primarily. They are both wrong.

[–] mayani 9 years ago

lol

Where do you think Wales is? :D https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Britain
GB is a geographical term, UK is a political term.

Bale on his origins: "I was born in Wales but I'm not Welsh – I'm English".
He spent his childhood in Wales, Surrey and Dorset in England.

Whether he feels Welsh or English, he's still a 'Brit'. Get it now? :)

[–] kramsey20 12 years ago

Wasn't that great.

IT'S ME! THAT'S ME!!! Shut the F up, Batman. Seriously, Christian we're done professionally.

[–] oakcourt 11 years ago

I could have written your post myself, that is exactly what I would say and how I too discovered CB and he became one of my to watch. I also discovered Jon Rhys Meyers in this and although he has had some bad times he still is a superb actor. Love this film love CB and JRM still.

Don't be late, don't hesitate, this dream can pass just as fast as lightning.

[–] ShackyWack 10 years ago

I agree. I thought Bale was excellent playing a very sympathetic character. His performance was so subtle that it is very to overlook. As a grown man, he seemed so sad and haunted by his childhood.

[–] JumeirahSun 10 years ago

I found the hairpiece he wore when portraying his younger self distracting. Not that it was his fault.

[–] ibbi 9 years ago

I wouldn't say it's among his very best work, but like you say it's certainly one you can bring up to further display the massive range he can play.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fdZWbIsrFk

[–] Sook-Yongsheng 9 years ago

I agree; I love this character of Bale's.

Bale is not a diverse actor and how all of his roles are basically the same

That statement always seems to get regurgitated about any single actor you can think of. You know:

"{fill in the blank} is not a diverse actor and all of his roles are basically the same."

That basic pattern, over and over. Kinda tiresome how often that "opinion" gets thrown around...

The Revenant: 9.5
Macbeth: 9
Room: 9.5
Spotlight: 9

[–] pizza_cheese 9 years ago

I still don't understand why people still think Bale isn't a versatile performer...

[–] matheusmagalhaes10 9 years ago

His character is a gay man coming to terms with himself. Todd has a great sensibility with this kind of situation.

[–] indoorhouseplant 8 years ago

I too love Christian Bale in this, I didn't know who he was when I first saw the film (I mean I was really there for Ewan McGregor, who is wonderful as always, and has a much showier part than Bale). Really won me over right away. I've re-watched the film many times and I love all the leads. I find Toni Collette sort of slips in a couple of places but she has other moments where she's wonderful, and her character is a bit of a flaky and affected type anyway. Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Christian Bale, Ewan McGregor and Eddie Izzard are all glorious.