Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 22 > Entry
Remembering Heath Ledger … and some of his finest films
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
EDITOR’S NOTE: The actor Heath Ledger has been nominated for an Oscar for his role in “The Dark Knight” on the first anniversary of his Jan. 22, 2008 death at age 28. Here is a remembrance from former AJC movies writer Bob Longino and a question: What do think of Ledger’s nomination?
I first met Heath Ledger in 2002. He came to Atlanta to talk about the movie “The Four Feathers.”
It wasn’t much of a film, but interviewing Ledger, who was found dead in a Manhattan apartment Tuesday, was memorable.
Phil Skinner / ajc com
Heath Ledger during the 2002 Atlanta interview. More photos
I talked. He ate french fries. He’d pick up each one, dunk it in mayo and then twirl it, dip it in ketchup and then pop the slathered mess into his mouth.
He seemed like a young man who did what he wanted. And he talked like he did, too.
“The more they push me in a corner, the more I put up a fight,” he said about studio executives who were consistently trying to pigeonhole him as an actor who was good only as a screen heartthrob.
He never liked those execs.
“Every time you see them, it’s like, ‘Hey, buddy.’ All smiles,” he said. “If they’re that happy to see you every time, then you can’t trust them. I’m very set about who I am and who I want to be as a person., so they can never push that around. And that reflects also in my choices (in movies). I take a lot of pride in that. Nothing blinded by the money and offers, and just staying true to the material and that corny kind of actor-y (expletive). But I do stay true to it.”
I’m one of many moviegoers who were already anticipating “The Dark Knight” with Ledger as the Joker.
Here are my favorite Heath Ledger movies from most recent to earliest:
“I’m Not There” (2007) — He’s almost as good in it as Cate Blanchett.
“Candy” (2006) — The film never came to Atlanta but it was a good love (really obsession and sex) story with Abbie Cornish.
“Brokeback Mountain” (2005) — His Oscar-nominated performance is quite strong.
“The Brothers Grimm” (2005) — Director Terry Gilliam is always a blast and Ledger and Matt Damon deliver the goods.
“Ned Kelly” (2003) — This outlaw drama, based on the real-life Australian and his loyal gun-toting family, didn’t make much headway in America, but it is well worth renting.
“Monster’s Ball” (2001) — He played Billy Bob Thornton’s son in one of the first films he made to remake his screen image.
“A Knight’s Tale” (2001) — The rock music was a little odd, but Ledger sure looked dedicated to what he was doing.
“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999) — He was one of the main reasons the film worked.
What are your favorite Heath Ledger movies? What do you think of his posthumous Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Bob Longino
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Matt
January 23, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
I would like to add Casanova to the list above. A great, fun film.
A great actor has been lost too soon. Ledger always made great project choices and he will be greatly missed. Eerily enough, I had Ned Kelly from NetFlix waiting in my mailbox when I got home yesterday.
By Reiux
January 23, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
He did a great job in “The Patriot” also. I will miss seeing him in film.
By jct
January 24, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Loved Knight’s Tale - Sir William Thatcher. My family and I watch the movie shouting out the lines because we have watched it so many times.