The Joker Emerges
The talented actor, who died earlier this year from what was said to be an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, gives a chilling, sometimes frightening performance as the villainous Joker, which many believe will win him an Oscar. Unlike the campy and sometimes silly portrayal of the same character by Jack Nicholson in 1989’s Batman, Ledger creates a menacing criminal who is obviously perched on the brink of madness, yet cunningly smart.
Accomplished Actor
Although young, Ledger had been acting for many years with several television credits to his name in his birth country, Australia. He gained recognition for his striking good looks and unimposing charm, however, he was not given credit as a serious actor until his remarkable performance in the controversial 2005 film, Brokeback Mountain. In the film, he played Ennis Del Mar alongside Jake Gyllenhall’s sexually extroverted Jack Twist. Undoubtedly, a method actor, in each role Ledger embraces, he envelops himself in the character taking on a completely new persona. His role in Brokeback and that of the Joker in The Dark Knight are so far afield from one another, yet he mastered and became each character so completely.
Christian Bale as Batman, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes, Gary Oldman as Lt. James Gordon, and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two Face are also excellent in the film, but Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker is so stunning, it practically overshadows their contributions. From his sadistic machinations and incessant lip smacking, to his ever evolving tale of how he received the horrific scars that gave him his permanent grin, Ledger’s performance is almost flawless.
In addition, Ledger was given a great script to work with. Memorable lines include, “I use a knife because guns are too quick. Otherwise, you can’t savor all the emotions,” the line directed at Batman, “I don’t want to kill you. What would I do without you? You complete me,” and the popular “Why so serious?”
Oscar Nomination?
Despite his work and accomplishments, there are those who believe that Ledger is only being considered for an Oscar because of the tragic circumstances surrounding his recent death and because the Dark Knight was his last film. However, this would not be his first Oscar nomination, as in 2006, he was nominated in the best actor category for work in Brokeback Mountain. Although he did not win the esteemed honor, he was truly deserving and received the best actor award from both San Francisco and New York film critics.
Ledger’s Dark Knight Legacy
It’s a shame that Ledger did not live long enough to see The Dark Knight completed and the accolades he has been given for transforming the role of the Joker into the best portrayal of the villain to date. Although Heath Ledger is gone forever, his image and work will live on forever in film, and to many he will remain the one actor who played the Joker the way it should be done---with heart, soul, and little bit of madness to make things interesting.
