While doing some mindless channel surfing this extended holiday weekend, I stumbled upon Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) and The Other Guys (2010). My first thought went to how funny and entertaining Will Farrell was in each of these movies. Then I started to think about how funny of an actor he is in some films, while in others, he’s been less than stellar. Stepping back and looking at the bigger picture, the common denominator in the majority of his success have come at the hand of Adam McKay. The very talented producer/writer/director made a name for himself working, almost exclusively, with Farrell while directing his way into notoriety and more importantly, gaining the trust of those that matter in Hollywood.
In a change from his usual forte, The Big Short (2015) allowed McKay to showcase his comedic skills in a different type of setting. Dipping his toes into the world of true events was something that few saw coming. He stunned the world with a very well made biopic that focused on the US mortgage market and the corruption that surrounded it. Of course McKay did this with a comic tone that made a very dark time seem almost enjoyable. Everyone wondered what would come next, and when. With politics being such a hot button topic these days, Vice is as good of a place as any for a follow-up.
Dick Cheney (Christian Bale) served as Vice President under George W. Bush (Sam Rockwell) for two terms from 2001 to 2009. Vice follows Cheney’s unconventional rise from an unlikely background to becoming the most powerful Vice President in American history. From the pivotal part that his wife, Lynne (Amy Adams), played to an unexpected relationship forged with Donald Rumsfeld (Steve Carell), being sought after by the Bush administration is just a small piece of this outrageous story being told. And once all is said and done, you’ll wonder to yourselves, “did all of this really happen?” Yeppers, it certainly did. Sometimes fact is way crazier than fiction.
Now, with two biopics under his belt, Adam McKay has certainly appeared to have found a new playground in which to dwell. He basically takes the same formula that he used in The Big Short to bring a similar vibe to the political arena in Vice. Starting with an all-star cast featuring Bale, Adams, Carell, Rockwell, Alison Pill, Lily Rabe, Eddie Marsan, Tyler Perry, Jesse Plemons and more; talent is pouring out from every scene. Combining that with an outrageous and intoxicating look inside the wacky world of politics is too tempting to overlook.
Of all of the solid performances, one actor’s commitment to excellence stands above everyone else’s. Christian Bale once again shows that he goes all-in when method acting like no other. The enigmatic actor displays range and the willingness to go that extra mile that very view of his peers are willing to go. From giving himself an amazing six-pack in his breakout role in American Psycho (2000), to his disturbing weight loss of 62 pounds seen in The Machinist (2004), the man has shown time and time again that there’s no lengths he’s unwilling to go to give the illusion of reality. In Vice, Bale needed to “fatten up” by putting on 40 pounds, which he attributed pies as being one of his largest helpers. Surprisingly though, this isn’t the most weight he’s pilled on for a role. He ate just a bit more for his aged and out of shape role in American Hustle (2013), where he would add 43 pounds to his almost 40 year-old frame. No CGI. No fat suits. No stand-ins. Just let that sink in and tell me how you can’t admire this guy.
If there’s one person you want to fully commit to a role while transforming themselves into whatever said character, that would be Christian Bale. Adam McKay has been lucky enough to have worked with him a couple of times now. Reuniting he and Steve Carell under the watchful eye of McKay makes for good chemistry and hopefully even better business. Vice isn’t for everyone, especially in this day and age when the subject of politics is so divisive, but those wanting to simply watch an entertaining movie while getting a little American history in the process, this is as good a choice as any. You can check it out in theaters everywhere starting today.
