Christian Bale and Ben Stiller might seem like an odd pairing for a movie, but brought them together before their respective fame. Steven Spielberg directed the World War II drama Empire of the Sun, based on the novel by J.G. Ballard. Unlike his brilliant war movie Saving Private Ryan, Empire of the Sun doesn’t focus on the battlefield, but rather tells a coming-of-age story about a young British boy living in Shanghai with his wealthy parents, only to be separated from them as the war breaks out.

Coming out in 1987, Empire of the Sun was one of Spielberg’s most underrated movies. Though the project earned a modest gross at the box office and solid reviews from critics, it is largely overlooked in Spielberg's overall filmography. However, the movie was also a very important launching pad for some actors, with Bale and Stiller finding early roles in this massive epic and going on to have hugely successful careers.

Among the two actors, Empire of the Sun was most important for Christian Bale’s career. Only 12 years old when he was cast in the movie, the young British child whose life of wealth and comfort is suddenly shattered as he and his family have to make a hasty retreat from Shanghai at the outbreak of the war. When Jim is separated from his family, he tries to make it on his own until he ends up in an internment camp.

The unique coming-of-age drama finds Jim attempting to find a new community among a group of American expatriates operating as a criminal gang inside the camp. While they are led by Basie (John Malkovich), . Given that Stiller would become a big star several years later, it is a lot of fun to see him in such a small role here.

Empire of the Sun was a big movie for both Stiller and Bale. For Stiller, it was only the second film he appeared in after Hot Pursuit that same year. It was also two years before he briefly joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. Stiller would end up finding more success with The Ben Stiller Show in 1990, which led to his directorial debut in Reality Bites and comedic star status following the success of There's Something About Mary.

Empire of the Sun was also the second film Bale had ever appeared in, solidifying his talents as a young child actor. It wasn't until his performance as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho that Bale really transitioned to adult roles, leading to his part as Batman in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, and becoming recognized as one of the best actors working in Hollywood.

Along with being only his second movie ever, Empire of the Sun put Christian Bale in a daunting leading role in a massive production. The confidence and effectiveness with which he carried himself in this role made it clear that this young actor was going to go on to have an amazing career. .

Bale is remarkable in this task, showing the fear in Jim being left alone in this terrifying situation. Early on in the movie, he bounces around from one situation to another with a dazed look as if he expects to wake from this nightmare. However, as the movie continues, he takes more agency, while not losing the child-like qualities of the character. Jim understands the dire situation he is in, but there are also times when he gets caught up in the excitement as if he is playing at war. It is an incredibly difficult balance to find, and Bale nails it.

. With Bale's weight fluctuations for various roles showing his commitment, he is an actor who does not back down from a challenge. Carrying the Batman franchise was another big deal, but he didn't let it define him as a performer. He went on to earn an Oscar for The Fighter as well as three other nominations, but remains one of his most impressive performances.