Christian Bale: Heartthrob or thespian?

“Batman Begins”
Let’s see, there was “Batman” and “Batman Returns” (Michael Keaton), “Batman Forever” (Val Kilmer) and “Batman & Robin” (George Clooney). Why make another “Batman” movie, and why subject Christian Bale to it? The reason: Christopher Nolan. The franchise needed an infusion of new ideas, and the director of “Memento” and “Insomnia” was the perfect candidate. And instead of hiring the hot Hollywood hunk du jour, Nolan tabbed a real actor. Together with screenwriter David S. Goyer, the filmmakers crafted an ingenious new take on a familiar story. In fact, Bale — who had auditioned to play Robin in “Batman Forever” in 1995 — didn’t think about pursuing the role at all until he heard that Nolan was directing, and therefore he knew it wouldn’t be “Batman” as usual. Nolan’s darker and grittier “Batman Begins” was a hit in 2005, and both director and lead actor are back together shooting the next film in the series, “The Dark Knight,” set for release next summer.

“The Prestige”
Bale shares the marquee with Hugh Jackman in this adventure drama set in London at the end of the 19^th century about two magicians who once were friends but became bitter rivals. This was another collaboration with director Christopher Nolan, who co-wrote the script with his brother Jonathan. Bale’s Alfred Borden invents a trick to top all others, Jackman’s Robert Angier becomes insanely jealous and determined to figure out how it’s done, and both actors excel at playing semi-maniacal illusionists who are under no illusions about how much they dislike each other. The real star of the film is Nolan. He has a keen eye for period and a knack for organizing a complicated set of story points and making sure the whole thing makes sense. But Bale plays another dashing yet flawed individual. Think Patrick Bateman of “American Psycho,” only without the random killings, and with clothes from the 1800s.

“Rescue Dawn”
Werner Herzog’s Vietnam-era P.O.W. film could have been a typical entry in the war action genre. But Bale’s performance as real-life Navy flyer Dieter Dengler has enough layers to elevate it past typical fare. Bale’s Dieter is heroic but strange, strong and tough but quirky and unsure. Dieter strikes up a fierce friendship with Duane (Steve Zahn) and they establish the kind of platonic bond that only two men enduring harsh treatment in adverse wartime conditions could ever have. Herzog is a favorite among film buffs but hardly a Hollywood cash machine, which is a most recent example that suggests Bale is not intent on making himself The Next Big Thing but rather is committed to doing quality work with directors who have distinct and powerful voices.

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