Tribute to Heath Ledger

Australia lost another of its great acting talents today - Heath Ledger. Non-Aussies probably hadn't seen Heath in all that much, or just remember him as one of the hunks out of Brokeback Mountain, but Heath was acting long before that.

An overview

The first movie I saw him in was 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) with Julia Stiles. Initially I saw it because it was meant to be a modern day version of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, and I've always been a major Shakespeare reader (and read TOTS at school). I really love that movie, its one of my all time faves. I really got a kick out of him playing an Aussie, and not hiding it. Anyway, after seeing that I went back and looked for older movies and TV shows with him in it. I found Blackrock (1997), which was filmed in Newcastle, a city around 2 hours north of where I live. He was also in a couple of episodes of Home & Away, a very popular Aussie soap opera that just so happens to be filmed right here on the northern beaches of Sydney (one of the locations is just a 5 minute walk from my house). Now that I look back, I remember his role really clearly, which is weird because he was only in two episodes I think. But he was that guy that Sally lost her virginity with... you can't get any more important than that.

I also saw Two Hands (1999). I really hated the movie to tell you the truth, because it was weird - kinda dark and seedy - but it was filmed in Sydney and I recognised so many places in it, so that in itself was cool. Its known by movie critics as a cult Aussie movie now (but that might be more to do with Byran Brown's role in it rather than Heath's) and as Heath's break into Hollywood. The Patriot (2000) with Mel Gibson was like a turning point in Heath's career in my eyes. Fancy being able to act with one of your childhood hero’s; it must have been awesome, especially playing his son. The movie itself wasn't mind bogglingly great, but I always had it in the back of my head that it must have been so huge to him.

On the other side of the coin was A Knight's Tale (2001), which was yet another modern take on medieval England. One thing that always stands out in my mind about this movie was the modern music in it, like Queen and David Bowie. Some people thought it was cool, but I thought it was just downright cheesy. If memory serves correctly, there was a scene where Heath was jousting and the crowd was stamping their feet and singing We Will Rock You. Like seriously, that’s bad, and what was worse is that it was a Queen/Robbie Williams version. I always wondered it Heath was embarrassed as all hell when he saw this because it was so corny.

After that movie I sort of lost Heath for a while. I never saw Monsters Ball, although I've heard its a great movie (and must have been because it won an Oscar). My ears did prick up, however, when I heard he was going to play notorious Aussie bushranger, Ned Kelly (movie released in 2003). I thought "Yes finally, he's back in an Aussie movie". People were shocked he took the roll because it wasn't a Hollywood movie, rather it was made by the Australian Film Commission as an independent movie. I've been to Glenrowen, where Ned Kelly was from, so I guess this interested me. Heath also looked extra spunky in the movie poster.

His next movie, The Sin Eater (2003) (known as The Order in the US) has always been one I've wanted to see. My ex loved it, and the story appeals to me, but unfortunately I've never had a chance to see it. I'll make an extra effort now, I think. Lords of Dogtown was another one I haven't yet seen, but unlike the one above, the story doesn't really interest me, and to tell you the truth, I think it must have been a filler for Heath, because he didn't have a large roll, and it was really a no-brainer for him too - its a movie about the skate and surf culture in California for Christ's sake.

What can I say about Brokeback Mountain (2005). Oh man, I don't know where to begin. How awesome was that movie. How awesome was Heath's performance. The accent was unfathomable for a fellow Aussie like me. I was gob smacked that he could do it. And as we all know, there's some pretty full on and risqué scenes in that movie, which was great for us, but it also must have been a great challenge for him. Again, after Brokeback I lost track of his movies. Mainly because they either didn't interest me, or they never made it big in Australia. Like, as much as I always thought Heath was good looking, although in more of an unconventional way, I can't see him as Casanova (2005). I am, however, interested in seeing Candy (2006) after reading some recent reviews. I've never seen it advertised or on sale though, so that will be one to look into.

Last project: The Dark Knight

Heath had only just recently finished filming on the new Batman movie, which at the moment is known as The Dark Knight. He plays the Joker, which has always been one of my favourite characters (I've always loved the Batman films and have seen every one). I can't wait for this movie to come out, although it will be very sad to see it now. Apparently, it was one of his best performances ever.

Unfinished plans

I believe Heath was currently filming, or was about to go into filming, for a new movie, but I can't tell you which. Both The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus and Tree of Life are in his filmographies as release date in 2009, and as I haven't heard anything for either of them, I'm assuming they are unfinished. What they will do now about the roles, only time will tell, but they both have all star casts (including Christopher Plummer, Brad Pitt and Sean Penn), which only goes to show the calibre of his acting reputation in Hollywood.

He has been compared to Mel Gibson and Marlon Brando in the past, and I would have to say that he was one of my all time favourite Australian actors, and he will be greatly missed.

Heath Andrew Ledger
4 April 1979 - 22 January 2008
Rest in Peace... mate.

Katey