Christian Bale: “I take inspiration as it comes!”

Hollywood star Christian Bale (48) can be seen in German cinemas with “Amsterdam” from November 3rd. Together with director David O. Russell (64), he worked on the comedic thriller for over five years. Bale plays Burt Berendsen, a doctor who has to go to the front in World War I. With a number of scars, two big friends and a glass eye, he gets involved in a mysterious murder case back in New York. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the Oscar winner reveals why he felt like Peter Falk’s cult figure Columbo in his role and how far he literally goes for the right inspiration.

“Amsterdam” is a film about loyalty and friendship. Burt (Christian Bale), Harold (John David Washington) and Valerie (Margot Robbie) make a pact to be there for one another for life. The chemistry between them is just right. Did you feel that on set too?

Christian Bale: Yes, that’s our job after all. We wanted to create a friendship marked by optimism and hope. When people see the film, they should say: “I want that too!”

You play a doctor who is sent to war in France and returns with a number of scars and mental injuries, losing his eye and getting a glass eye. Still, Burt is a real optimist. He becomes involved in a mysterious murder. How was the role challenging?

Bale: I absolutely loved playing Burt. I really loved him. He is sent to war by his in-laws, they want to get rid of him. They hope he doesn’t come back – he does! He had a wonderful time in Amsterdam and wants to be with his new friends [Harold und Valerie] take this feeling home to New York. But they are involved in a murder and drawn into a worldwide conspiracy. This is based on true facts from American history.

You’re known for giving a lot for a role…

Bale: David O. Russell got me on board early. I was there at the first stroke of the pen. We went through various scripts together, but we always knew what Burt should be like. I was allowed to sculpt the character entirely myself. I had all the time in the world and wasn’t rushed. I even worked on other films in the meantime, but then I came back.

Your collaboration even went as far as the editing room, right?

Bale: Yes, David was great. He’s an incredibly generous man and he took me into the editing room. That was just wonderful. I was fully involved from the start.

Watching the film, Peter Falk and his character Columbo inevitably came to mind. Like your character, Falk wore an artificial eye for most of his life. Do you get inspiration from something like that?

Bale: There are different approaches. Sometimes you learn something from others, sometimes you invent something yourself. Then again you imitate people. I also once followed a guy down the street like a psycho to watch him (laughs). Sometimes I also record voices. Burt’s hair, for example: I had a call with the cameraman Chivo (Emmanuel Lubezki, editor’s note) and thought “Great, I want this hair for Burt!” And to Peter Falk: At first it wasn’t so clear to me, but then I thought: “Yes, I’m really a bit like Columbo” (laughs). Peter Falk is simply fantastic. I take inspiration as it comes!

Which projects are pending?

Bale: After Amsterdam, I did The Pale Blue Eye with my friend Scott Cooper. It’s the third film we’ve made together. It is a mystery film about a detective (Bale) in the time of writer Edgar Allan Poe and is scheduled for release in early 2023.