Best lead peformance by a boy actor in a Spielberg film?

[Hlao-roo 388]

---

• "[
  E.T.
  ]'s hero is one particular little boy named Elliott. He is played by Henry Thomas in what has to be the best little boy performance I've ever seen in an American film. He doesn't come across as an overcoached professional kid; he's natural, defiant, easily touched, conniving, brave and childlike."
  
  
  -- Roger Ebert,
  Chicago Sun-Times
  
  
• "[Christian Bale], who appears in virtually every frame of [
  Empire of the Sun
  ] and ages convincingly from about 9 to 13 during the course of the story, is eminently able to handle an ambitious and demanding role."
  
  
  -- Janet Maslin,
  The New York Times
  
  
• "
  A.I.
  boasts a beautiful central performance — Haley Joel Osment, 13, plays David with a kind of buoyant gravity.... Spielberg laid the burden of the film on Osment like a backpack, and the young trouper carries it."
  
  
  -- Richard Corliss,
  TIME
  
  

---

Each of these performances was acclaimed by critics at the time of the film's release, but none were nominated by the Academy. Trying not to let your overall opinion of the film determine your judgment, which one do you find to be the greatest acting achievement?

[Datameister 1,394]

Eeeesh...that's a toughie. All three did fantastic jobs. I dunno if I'll be able to vote on this, at least without re-watching all three films.

[Maglorfin 195]

Eeeesh...that's a toughie. All three did fantastic jobs.

Indeed, but still I voted for Henry Thomas, I'll never forget that performance (and, of course, the film).

[Nick Parker 3,017]

I have to admit that I have not seen Empire of the Sun, but I might have to go with Haley Joel Osment. I can only tolerate him in certain roles, but I think he was magnificent in A.I., his best performance yet.

[ChuckM 1]

Christian Bale by far.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

This is no contest, Henry Thomas hands down in what is perhaps the greatest performance by a child actor.

Bale is good, Osment is merely ok.

[Ollie 859]

This is no contest, Henry Thomas hands down in what is perhaps the greatest performance by a child actor.

Bale is good, Osment is good.

[Red 73]

Christian Bale as Jim.

That being said, all three are some of the best performances ever given by a child actor. In fact with Henry Thomas it may be the best performance he's ever done. It's tougher to decide with Haley Joel Osment since he did another extremely impressive job in The Sixth Sense.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Christian Bale by far.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,476]

I'd say Henry Thomas is the best of the three.

I never found Christian Bale's character really likeable, which I think is a strike against it. Maybe I should watch it again.

Osment was serviceable until about 3/4 of the way through, when he just becomes unbearable.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

I'd say Henry Thomas is the best of the three.

I'd hope so with your screen name being ETAndElliot4Ever.

[Datameister 1,394]

I never found Christian Bale's character really likeable, which I think is a strike against it. Maybe I should watch it again.

That's an interesting point. Perhaps that's why I sorta feel least inclined to vote for him, even though I was impressed with his performance.

[John Crichton 4]

Spielberg always gets good performances out of kids. Even in Hook they're decent, and Dakota Fanning is quite good in WotW.

[Nick Parker 3,017]

Dakota Fanning is quite good in WotW.

She was good when there was not any danger involved, I agree.

[AC1 3,565]

Christian Bale because his role was so much more complex than the others. In fact, I think it's one of the best performances I've ever seen from any actor, regardless of his or her age.

[Melange 446]

Can't vote because I havent' seen AI. But I'll comment on the other two. When it comes to Empire of the Sun, viewer's irriation about the nature of the character can cloud judgement on the acting peformance. Personally I think his acting is a bit overated in that movie. Pretty wooden and forced at times, even though in some moments he shines. Out of the two choices I have, I'd say Henry Thomas was better. But to be honest, I've seen far better child acting in other films. Especially Scandinavian or Russian films. Take the performance of Ivan Dobronravov in the Russian movie Vozvrashcheniye (clip).

[Naïve Old Fart 6,637]

Christian Bale because his role was so much more complex than the others. In fact, I think it's one of the best performances I've ever seen from any actor, regardless of his or her age.

Spot on, Alex! Jim has to age from around 9 years to around 13 years, and it is only when he tries to revive the Japanese boy (and, by extension, his younger self - "I can bring anyone back") that you realise that he did a great, and subtle job of on-screen ageing. His line "I can't remember what my parents look like", is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most important line in the film, and through this, Bale conveys, in just one sentence, the change from boyhood, to manhood. It is a remarkable achievement, and one which is overlooked unfairly. Thomas just had to act like a 10 year-old, which wasn't hard. Osment's, like Thomas' character, really didn't have any kind of an arc, unlike Bale's, but, like his role in "The Sixth Sense", he did a good job of creating, and sustaining a mood with his interpretation of David (check out the fact that he does not blink once in the entire movie). Having said this, all three put in good performances, which the likes of D. Radcliffe, esq. would do well to study.

[Wojo 2,442]

I never saw A.I. and never want to, but even though I voted for Henry Thomas, I can also see how Bale would be worthy, for the reasons Alex explained. He brought a level of maturity and growth to the character that makes him totally believable as a survivor of a war camp.

But Bale had people to interact with. Henry Thomas' costar for the majority of the film was a puppet, but he never once let on that he was acting with a short person in a mechanical costume. His awareness as a child actor made ET's puppet seem all the more real, and movie magic was the result.

[Naïve Old Fart 6,637]

I never saw A.I. and never want to, but even though I voted for Henry Thomas, I can also see how Bale would be worthy, for the reasons Alex explained. He brought a level of maturity and growth to the character that makes him totally believable as a survivor of a war camp.

But Bale had people to interact with. Henry Thomas' costar for the majority of the film was a puppet, but he never once let on that he was acting with a short person in a mechanical costume. His awareness as a child actor made ET's puppet seem all the more real, and movie magic was the result.

Good point, Wojo, about Thomas acting to what was, essentially, a machine. Wish I'd thought of that. BTW, don't knock "A.I." out of hand. There is a lot to recommend this film, not least of which is the superb cinematography, and J.W's luschious score. I can thoroughly recommend the 2-c.d. version of the score, the sound being much better than the offical release.

[Richard Penna 2,083]

Bale. I've only seen parts of Empire of the Sun, but his performance seems so natural.

[Wojo 2,442]

True, but this moment in Empire of the Sun was completely unnecessary, and I feel it detracts from the integrity of his character and the movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih4MW1u7xp0

[Trent B 317]

I haven't seen Empire Of The Sun, doubt I ever will. However, I voted for E.T. I liked that movie more than A.I.

[Quintus 5,391]

Henry Thomas, hands down. Considering the fact that Bale was tremendous, that says a lot for Thomas.

[AC1 3,565]

Thomas just had to act like a 10 year-old, which wasn't hard. Osment's, like Thomas' character, really didn't have any kind of an arc, unlike Bale's, but, like his role in "The Sixth Sense", he did a good job of creating, and sustaining a mood with his interpretation of David (check out the fact that he does not blink once in the entire movie).

Exactly, Richard.

[Josh500 1,602]

I think Christian Bale delivered the best performance.

However, E.T. is my favorite movie out of the 3.

[Quintus 5,391]

Thomas just had to act like a 10 year-old, which wasn't hard. Osment's, like Thomas' character, really didn't have any kind of an arc, unlike Bale's, but, like his role in "The Sixth Sense", he did a good job of creating, and sustaining a mood with his interpretation of David (check out the fact that he does not blink once in the entire movie).

Exactly, Richard.

That's one way to look at it, but one thing's absolutely certain: as good as Bale or Osment were; they didn't touch my heart anything near like Thomas did.

Technical ability is one thing, downright honesty is another.

The latter will win out every time.

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

What about Cary Guffey?

I can't vote because E.T. is the only film of these three I've seen more than once (and the others were too long ago).

[Quintus 5,391]

Cary Guffey was simply superb, as was Danny Lloyd.

[AC1 3,565]

Thomas just had to act like a 10 year-old, which wasn't hard. Osment's, like Thomas' character, really didn't have any kind of an arc, unlike Bale's, but, like his role in "The Sixth Sense", he did a good job of creating, and sustaining a mood with his interpretation of David (check out the fact that he does not blink once in the entire movie).

Exactly, Richard.

That's one way to look at it, but one thing's absolutely certain: as good as Bale or Osment were; they didn't touch my heart anything near like Thomas did.

Technical ability is one thing, downright honesty is another.

The latter will win out every time.

I don't like the word "honesty" when it's used to describe an acting performance. It's extremely vague and subjective. I mean, was Christian Bale's performance in Empire Of The Sun dishonest?! Because that's what you seem to be implying here, Quincy. From what you are telling us, your preference is a simple case of empathy through identification. You just happen to like the character of Thomas more. It doesn't really say anything about the acting itself.

Alex

[Quintus 5,391]

Heh, I actually pondered my wording there before posting, believe it or not. I wondered if I should say "they didn't touch peoples hearts anything near like Thomas did", instead.

The argument would still stand, as legend would have it.

I settled on the "My" simply because I presumed all comers would appreciate the accepted history in this debate.

As for the honesty thing, well I can only surmise that it is your personal preference which leads you to prefer a more technically driven performance as opposed to the style of the performance given by the current leader of this poll. Bale was superb in a well read and well thought out deliberate performance, which if dishonest in its conviction it is then a byproduct of said preparation is surely to be apparent on some level.

Regardless, if this poll is anything to go by (and in this case it surely is) it would seem honestly in acting counts for quite a lot, unsurprisingly enough.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,476]

Thomas just had to act like a 10 year-old, which wasn't hard. Osment's, like Thomas' character, really didn't have any kind of an arc, unlike Bale's, but, like his role in "The Sixth Sense", he did a good job of creating, and sustaining a mood with his interpretation of David (check out the fact that he does not blink once in the entire movie).

Exactly, Richard.

Mr. Thomas had to play a 10 year old who can be wise and mature beyond his age when tested to the limit.

[Johnnyecks 33]

This is a tough one.

Although the AI kid, I feel, can act his way out of a paper bag (hence Sixth Sense) and did a damn good job in AI...

Although Henry did a damn good job in ET, and this is a tough call....

but I have to give to Bale in EotS. He showed a far range of emotion that one 10 year old should ever show in real life or in film, and he made it believable. His face when he said "I can't remember their faces" can still bring me to tears.

[AC1 3,565]

Thomas just had to act like a 10 year-old, which wasn't hard. Osment's, like Thomas' character, really didn't have any kind of an arc, unlike Bale's, but, like his role in "The Sixth Sense", he did a good job of creating, and sustaining a mood with his interpretation of David (check out the fact that he does not blink once in the entire movie).

Exactly, Richard.

Mr. Thomas had to play a 10 year old who can be wise and mature beyond his age when tested to the limit.

That's what every (10-year-old) hero has to be. It's a cliché and not really an interesting trait of the character. Henry Thomas had something naturally "wise and mature" about him (unlike his much older brother), it's one of reasons why they chose him for the part. Elliot is open-minded to what 'big' people can't see. You can't cast an immature and childish prick for that.

Alex