Actor Paper - The Fighter - Christian Bale
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Daniel Contreras
Introduction to Theater
Professor Josten
Actor Reaction Paper
17 November 2011
In the film, directed by David O. Russell, "The Fighter" Christian Bale stars alongside Mark Walhberg. This film is based on the true story of professional boxers Micky Ward and Dick Eklund. Bale was not initially selected to play Dick Eklund; in fact, Brad Pitt and Mat Damon where the previous choices. Both Pitt and Damon had to drop from the production due to conflicting schedules. Walhberg, a key player in the making of "The Fighter," met Bale while they each were dropping off their own daughters at the same elementary school. He thought Bale would be a great fit for the part. Bale had previously met with director Russell back in 1999 for the casting of the movie "Three Kings." Unfortunately, Bale lost the part to Spike Jonze who was a close friend to Russell. On the other hand, Walhberg did feature in "Three Kings," so "The Fighter" is not the first collaboration between Walhberg and Russell.
Apparently Bale did make it onto the team this time; however he had quite a lot in store for him. Bale was assigned to play a welterweight boxer obviously something he was not. In order to better feel like Eklund Bale decided to shed some weight---30 pounds to be exact. He had literally transformed from a Batman physique to a slender drug addict. Surprisingly this was not the first time Bale changed his weight for a movie role. In the 2004 film titled "The Machinist" Bale stars as an insomniac who's mental health is slowly deteriorating. Bale really puts himself in the position of the character whether it be by technical approach or empathy. Supposedly, Bale starved himself to get his weight down in order to become a legitimate welterweight. In contrast to this physically straining transformation, Bale actually got the opportunity to meet and get to know the real Dick Eklund in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts. Bale and Eklund became good friends after spending two extensive weeks visiting local bars, some of the crack houses Eklund has been in, and the local police and while to stories about Eklund's past. This time together allowed Bale did not want to imitate, but to know the character's dialect, body language, and mannerisms. Reportedly, Bale talked with the accent throughout the production mostly to remain with the character and not lose it; according to him, it was tough at first but then he gradually slipped in. To receive the welterweight body he wanted, Bale exercised every day for two hours by running and practiced his boxing style in the ring.
Bale does not look too much like Eklund; although, Bale's character behaves exactly like Eklund---on point. The actor explained in an interview that he and Eklund have similar attitudes. When asked about getting into a role of a drug addict Bale responded that he has experienced those dark stages of life; moreover, this could allow him to recollect an emotional memory to utilized in his part of the movie. One dark and fairly recent dilemma in Bale's life reveals that he does share empathy for his character in "The Fighter." Eklund's family is dependent on his income from a very early age; additionally, he was to some degree forced into working. Bale began acting very young as well, providing his parents with money to help them out while working full-time. Nowadays, Bale does not keep in contact with his mother and sister whom live in the United Kingdom. Like Eklund, Bale seems to be trying avoid his money-seeking parent (Lampert). Before "The Fighter," Bale had a meltdown on the set of the "Terminator Salvation" and during a family meeting with his mother and sister which resulted in his arrest. Bale played the role superbly, as coincidental these circumstances are.
Works Cited
Lampert, Nicole. "Christian Bale: The Fighter Is Hollywood's Golden Boy but Still Feuding with Family." Http://www.dailymail.co.uk. DailyMail.co.uk, 4 Feb. 2011. Web. 17 Nov. 2011.