Empire of the sun... Bales finest?

[bowieee]

I just finished watching Empire of the sun for the first time since I was ten years old. The first time I saw it it nearly damn well traumatized me and I had an aversion to it ever since. Well I decided today I was going to force myself to sit down and watch this movie even if it meant I would be a Blubbering mess by the time it was though. Well I was blubbery mess just as I predicted but at the same time I had the feeling I had seen something truely great. I am a big fan of Bales but every single other performance I've seen from him pales to this one. Speilberg really captured something special in this movie. Watching all this madness through a child's eyes brought a sort of magic to the chaos. Well I guess the point of this thread is to see how many other fans of this movie are out there, as well as their stance on Bales performance.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00003CX9U.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Grebdron]

My second favorite Spielberg movie. And I'm NOT a fan of Bales' work, typically. This is the only thing I've liked him in.

A masterpiece, really. Spectacular movie.

[vastlynne]

I'm glad there's more appreciation for Christian Bale on this board. Yes, I'm a huge fan his and Empire of the Sun. I believe Bale's performance in that to be his personal best. One of the best performance i've seen by a child.

Bale captured the essence of innocent childhood and the loss of that almost flawlessly. His range of emotions that is vividly expressed in this movie, even at that age, is a true testament of his acting abilities.

This film truly is an experience that is worth experiencing rather then just watching it.

9.9/10

[Dietrich]

I'm not a huge fan of Christian Bale (strange animal sexual attraction though..) and an even lesser fan of child star actors/kids in movies.

BUT.. Christian Bale was exceptionally good in Empire Of The Sun. My favorite in his acting performances.
Spielberg however, delivered better movies than this one, which by no means makes this a bad movie. It's worth checking out. Even I should see it again, maybe it's better now..

[therealjohng]

While he did an amazing job in Empire of the Sun, his best is his portrayal of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho. I still can't get enough of that movie.

Both get 8/10 from me.

[Shockwave]

Aye, he was exceptional in both those movies and he was also really good in Equilibrium and Reign of Fire.

[jolanar]

How old was Bale when he did this movie? When did it come out?

Strange that I have never heard of it, especially since Steven Spielberg was involved. How well was it recieved at the box office/pop culture?

[The Delfonics]

Bale's finest:

Equilibrium - 9/10
American Psycho - 9/10

Empire was ok, just watched it the other week.

[QUENTIN]

I think his best performance and film is American Psycho, where he is simply incredible. Empire of The Sun, like much of Spielberg's dramatic work, doesn't do it for me, too obvious and I actually think Bale is simply "okay", nothing really spectactular, nothing bad. I think if the role hadn't been for a child, he wouldn't have received much acclaim, kid actors receive praise pretty much any time they're not bad. The only stand-out in the cast for me was John Malkovich.

[Lyle Waggoner]

Most of Bale's work that I've seen lacks identity. He was almost without character in Reign of Fire, and although there was an awkward appeal to his performance in Velvet Goldmine, let's face it, he was fucking terrible. I like Empire of the Sun quite a bit, although I thought he was only adequate (having said that, he certainly wasn't annoying, which is always some kind of an achievement when discussing child actors) - Spielberg so often coaxed better performances from children than most directors could.

His best work, in my opinion, was his mannered performance as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho (which was absolutely crucial to whether the film could fly or not). I doubt that he'll ever lay his hands on as good a role again, though. He's a man of very good looks, and medium talents, but he surpassed himself in that film.

Haven't seen Equilibrium though.

[The Delfonics]

Just wondering if anyone has seen All The Little Animals or a Midsummer Night's Dream? Any good? Maybe QUENTIN?

[Jasonite]

Empire of the Sun...great, underappreciated film. This should've won Best Picture, not the overrated Last Emporer. But as for Christian Bale's best performance...no, I think his best is probably American Psycho.


J

[Psychocandy]

I actually haven't yet seen this movie. I'll try to see it soon as i'm a fan of both Spielberg and Bale.

[vastlynne]

Originally posted by The Delfonics
Just wondering if anyone has seen All The Little Animals or a Midsummer Night's Dream? Any good? Maybe QUENTIN?

I want to see All the little animals too but it's only on VHS. :(
Midsummer Night's Dream is in my queue list from Greencine.

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by jolanar
How old was Bale when he did this movie? When did it come out?

Strange that I have never heard of it, especially since Steven Spielberg was involved. How well was it recieved at the box office/pop culture?

Empire of the Sun (1987)

Bale was 12 during filming.

Box office was disappointing.

Budget
$38,000,000 (USA)

Opening Weekend
$1,314,509 (USA) (13 December 1987) (225 Screens)

Gross
SEK 7,027,453 (Sweden)
$22,238,696 (USA)

[therealjohng]

Originally posted by Grebdron
Empire of the Sun (1987)

Bale was 12 during filming.

Box office was disappointing.

Budget
$38,000,000 (USA)

Opening Weekend
$1,314,509 (USA) (13 December 1987) (225 Screens)

Gross
SEK 7,027,453 (Sweden)
$22,238,696 (USA)

Well for grossing 1 million in its first weekend and ended up with 22, that's not too bad.

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by therealjohng
Well for grossing 1 million in its first weekend and ended up with 22, that's not too bad.

But the budget was 38 million. Lost money.

[Hannibal21]

Definitely Bale's finest. I'm not a fan of his work AT ALL, but I really liked 'Empire of the Sun (8/10)'. However, I think his performance in the film, although good, is slightly over praised. John Malkovich and Miranda Richardson were both better in the film IMO.

[jolanar]

Considering it was only on 225 screens that's not a bad income... unless thats a typo.

[Nachokoolaid]

Not too many stars turn in their best performance as a child, (which is kind of sad for them in a way), but Bale did it here, as did Kirsten Dunst in "Interview with a Vampire."