"In terms of the romantic kind of lead, I just never enjoy those movies very much. Maybe they'll come to interest me more as I get older. I doubt it, but maybe. Romantic comedies tend to be, for me, an oxymoron"
- Christian Bale
About this Quote
In this quote, Christian Bale expresses his apprehension and absence of enthusiasm towards romantic funnies as a category. He starts by dismissing the appeal of leading functions in romantic films. When he states, "In regards to the romantic kind of lead, I simply never take pleasure in those movies very much," Bale reveals a personal disinterest in both acting in and seeing romance-centered narratives. Unlike categories that perhaps use him more creative or dynamic functions, he discovers the conventions of romantic leads unappealing. This could be rooted in the predictability of romantic plots or the frequently formulaic nature of such films, which might not line up with his fondness for more complex, unforeseeable characters, typically seen in his filmography.
Bale points out, "Maybe they'll come to intrigue me more as I get older. I doubt it, but maybe." This reveals a minor openness to change, acknowledging that tastes can evolve over time. Nevertheless, his doubt suggests a strong conviction that his interests are unlikely to sway, showing that his disinterest runs deep or is perhaps connected to a wider review of the category.
Moreover, Bale remarks, "Romantic funnies tend to be, for me, an oxymoron." Here, he uses "oxymoron" to suggest that the components of romance and funny inherently contradict each other in his viewpoint. He suggests that combining romance's emotive and earnest styles with comedy's frequently light-hearted and humorous nature may dilute the potential effectiveness of both genres. To Bale, this category blending may fail to offer a rewarding or convincing narrative experience, which might be seen as too simple or insincere.
In general, Bale's comments reflect a preference for genres that guarantee more depth or varied exploration of character, as well as a vital stance on the clichés generally present in romantic comedies. This perspective may also suggest an artistic disposition toward roles that challenge him, using layers and intricacies that align with his acting principles.
"I'd like to be played as a child by Natalie Wood. I'd have some romantic scenes as Audrey Hepburn and have gritty black-and-white scenes as Patricia Neal"
"In the West audiences think I am a stereotyped action star, or that I always play hitmen or killers. But in Hong Kong, I did a lot of comedy, many dramatic films, and most of all, romantic roles, lots of love stories. I was like a romance novel hero"
