Heath Ledger died leaving behind a legacy of films that show off his rare and extensive talent. His death is tragic, but his achievements will become Hollywood classics.
On the 23rd January 2008, Oscar-nominated actor, Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment. His death has been compared to the deaths of screen icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and River Phoenix. But how many similarities are there? An accidental overdose is hardly as glamorous as a murder supposedly orchestrated by the First Family of America, or a drug-addled suicide. The tragedy is not in the manner of death, but in the disastrous shortening of a life and career that was becoming truly glorious.
Before "Brokeback Mountain"
Heath Ledger’s “early” films (those before Brokeback Mountain) are now referred to with the kind of affectionate tolerance that we use to refer to the misdeeds of a child. However, without “10 things I hate about you”, he might never have become the much-loved household name he is – was- now. One of the few intelligent “remakes” of Shakespeare, “10 things” was a hit with teenagers and adults alike, an immediate success for the young stars, Leger and “Save the Last Dance” star, Julia Stiles. It placed Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” in an American High School around the time of the Prom. Sound familiar? Perhaps. But the formula worked and no one can resist Ledger’s charm as he dances down the sport’s stands to “You’re just too good to be true”. The success of this film in intellectual circles sowed Ledger’s potential early on and his engaging talent could be seen again in “A Knight’s Tale”. This is a film often pushed under the carpet now, but despite its slightly ridiculous premise, and a radical interpretation of both history and Chaucer, it certainly shows Ledger’s bravery. For “A Knight’s Tale” did a rare thing in modern film; it promoted entertainment for entertainment’s sake, and it was not ashamed of having a damn good time.
"Brokeback Mountain"
The casting of Ang Lee’s film of the short story about two young ranch hands was daring; Jake Gyllanhaal was a virtual unknown and Ledger had never done anything of this magnitude before. He was taking a risk as much as Lee, playing against type and against his looks. However both choices were hugely successful and the film was awarded the attention and awards it deserved. The success of the film came from the fact that it dwelt on the love story of two lonely people, rather than the fact that they were two men. The professionalism of the two leads shows on screen, as they create a real, torturous bond. Ledger’s performance tugged at the heartstrings constantly, and he more than deserved the Oscar nomination.
The Legacy.
He had a number of films in the pipeline, promising to follow up on the success of “Brokeback Mountain”, when his death was announced on the 23rd. He will be mourned in Hollywood, and his has left behind a small, but fantastic and memorable selection of films that are a true legacy to his great and varied talent.
