“I don’t want to live in the characters I play”: ‘Breaking Bad’ Star Bryan Cranston Would Never Follow Christian Bale and Daniel Day-Lewis’ Footsteps When it Comes to Method Acting

Bryan Cranston is undeniably one of the most accomplished actors in the entertainment industry. Known for his versatile roles in iconic TV series like Breaking Bad and Malcolm in the Middle, Cranston’s approach to acting has often been a subject of discussion among both critics and fellow actors.

While some actors are devoted method actors, immersing themselves entirely in their characters, Cranston’s approach is a bit different. He is a seasoned actor who doesn’t give sole importance to method acting.

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Bryan Cranston is Not a Method Actor

With movies, the acting approach also evolves. As the industry evolves, more and more actors start to challenge methods of performing, such as method acting. The Method is only another tool actors can use to approach their characters; it is not in any way flawed in and of itself. However, it cannot be denied that this technique is frequently used in unsettling ways.

Method acting is an effective technique, however, as proved by artists like Daniel Day-Lewis or Christian Bale. But many actors including Bryan Cranston shared their disregard for this approach.

Cranston’s approach to acting is pragmatic and adaptable. While he acknowledges the value of method acting and the depth it can bring to a character, he doesn’t limit himself to this technique.

Bryan Cranston said in an interview with the Independent.

“When I go to work, my body knows where we’re going, and it knows how to get there, and then you flip that switch and cleanse yourself of the toxicity of those emotions you don’t want to carry into your regular life. Actors aren’t born knowing how to use the switch. It’s a skill, and like any skill, it must be practised.”

“Sometimes you’re playing a mean character and you take it home with you – until hopefully your partner tells you to knock it off. You need it to live a normal life. I don’t want to live in the characters I play. I would be completely exhausted if I had to take them home with me,” he added.

In the world of acting, Cranston’s approach serves as a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all method, and what matters most is the ability to bring characters to life convincingly and connect with audiences on an emotional level.

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Christian Bale and Daniel Day-Lewis Beg to Differ

Christian Bale and Daniel Day-Lewis stand as exemplars of method acting in the film industry. Their dedication to their craft and their unparalleled ability to immerse themselves in their roles have resulted in some of the most remarkable performances in cinematic history.

One of the most iconic examples of Christian Bale‘s method of acting can be seen in his role as Trevor Reznik in the 2004 film The Machinist. Bale lost a staggering 63 lbs to portray the emaciated and sleep-deprived character. His skeletal frame was shocking, and it was a clear testament to his dedication to the role.

Bale’s method acting extends beyond physical transformations. In American Psycho, he inhabited the mind of the disturbed and narcissistic Patrick Bateman with chilling authenticity.

Daniel Day-Lewis’ portrayal of Christy Brown in My Left Foot (1989) is perhaps one of the celebrated examples of method acting and how far one can go to live the character. Day-Lewis spent months in a wheelchair, refusing to break character, to capture the physical and emotional struggles of the real-life artist. He won the Best Actor Academy Award for this role.

Both Christian Bale and Daniel Day-Lewis share a commitment to their characters that borders on obsession. They undergo physical and psychological transformations to inhabit their roles fully.

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Source: Independent