Early Reviews Indicate Heath Ledger's Joker is No Laughing Matter

Word is already leaking out about The Dark Knight and so far, everything's favorable. Everyone from Peter Travers to director Kevin Smith are praising the film and Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker, both of them declaring its Oscar-worthiness. Of course, his performance might be a surprise but it's hardly surprising that Ledger went all out to reshape one of American literature's most enduring villains. Anyone who has seen his work - particularly from Monster's Ball through now - has to be impressed with the depths he would plumb for a role. Ledger was robbed of an Academy Award by voters who preferred a day-at-the-office portrayal by the great Philip Seymour Hoffman. Ledger's performance in Brokeback Mountain was, from the first minute he arrives on screen, completely new, daring, and shattering. And you kind of got the impression in the years since Brokeback that Heath had been crowned one of the new go-to actors in film. I wouldn't say he was going to be the next big movie star, because that's never what he wanted. But he was being taken more seriously and earning a sterling reputation as a dramatic actor who could bring something to performances that was specifically his. Whether or not he wins an Oscar for The Joker will be debated until the nominations are announced, and maybe all the way up to the ceremonies. Of course, if he's nominated, I'd hate to be the poor bastard who wins instead of Heath Ledger this time. Jack Nicholson's Joker should've been nominated, too, but I believe Hollywood and AMPAS has advanced their thinking on blockbusters and Oscars, specifically with the way they rewarded Titanic and Lord of the Rings. Uberazzi filed a report recently about Christopher Nolan's gameplan from the character:

"Our Joker - Heath's interpretation of The Joker - has always been the absolute extreme of anarchy and chaos. (And) what makes him terrifying is not to humanise him in narrative terms. We didn't want to show what made him do the things he's doing, because then he becomes less threatening. I like to say he cuts through the movie like Jaws. He just kind of comes and goes and causes complete mayhem."

Only 28 when he passed away, Ledger will undoubtedly have forged a legacy that extends well beyond the next decade or so, regardless of The Joker. But if it's as big an awakening as we're being led to believe, it may well cement Ledger's status as one of the great actors of his generation.

Comments

[Taffyluvs2laffy]

i thought that he commited suicide :( cuz it was on the news that he got so wrapped up in playing the joker that he felt the disturbing evil as being real and couldn't take it anymore...

[Get The Big Picture]

No. Completely untrue. Accidental overdose.

[YYSA]

Just read a review on the Dark Knight and I cannot wait to see this. Have to go IMAX on this one for sure.

[Bobby]

I am so excited to see this role played by Heath Ledger. I thought Brokeback was awesome, but let's get one thing straight. Philip Seymour-Hoffman is one of the best actors alive today, and his role as Truman Capote topped everyone that year. It will never be considered a "day at the office." That is absolutely ridiculous.

[LPSV81]

I just saw The Dark Knight for a second time tonight. It is insanely awesome and badass. This is coming from a girl who usually likes chik flicks and comedies. And let me tell ya, Heath Ledger is unreal! It breaks my heart that we won't be able to see more of his work, he was absolutely amazing.

[Darren Juno]

Ledgers portrayal as The Joker is definitely worthy of an Oscar. Nicholsons was good, I'll give him that, but Ledgers was seriously mind-blowing. Before going to see the movie I though there was no way he was "Oscar worthy" but not even 20 minutes into the movie and I knew this guy was good. This guy was the best.

[fairygodmother]

Seriously, this movie was fantastic. Me and my friend spent the entire 40 minute ride home from the movie theater (not to mention a lunch break) debating over what our favorite parts were. We couldn't decide! Everything was just so carefully constructed and all the actors portrayed their characters so well. I've been a big fan of Batman ever since I was a kid so seeing a movie that captures what I remember to be a darker, more favoratible side of Batman being brought out on the screen satisfies me. By the way, Ledger's performance blew me away.