Heath Ledger: Gone Too Soon

Jeanne posted earlier about the tragic death of 28-year-old Heath Ledger, a gifted actor who died way too soon. In the coming days, we’ll learn more details surrounding his death, but no matter how it shakes out, it’s clear that fame and fortune aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

If you’ve ever watched a tabloid show or perused an online paparazzi site, you know how aggressively celebs are stalked by photographers. Ok, so it’s always been there, dating back to the days of Rudolph Valentino and Clara Bow. But the newfound freedom and instant gratification of cyber space has turned the paparazzi business into rabid obsession in search of the big-money shot.

While I’m not presuming this was a factor in Ledger’s death, I can’t imagine living under the constant flurry of flashbulbs and lenses. It’s a microscope I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

An actor who seemed to be on the cusp of becoming a huge star, Ledger didn’t have a reputation as a party animal. He worked steadily since the mid-1990s and will be seen as The Joker in “The Dark Knight,” scheduled for a July 18, 2008 release.

Let’s take a look at three of my favorite Heath Ledger movies:

Brokeback Mountain (2005). I never would have imagined that a movie about two male lovers would make my list of top romantic movies. But this gripping tale about two guys who meet on a sheep-herding job is both romantic and heartbreaking. It could have been a much lesser, much cheaper movie, but the subdued chemistry between Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal just tore my heart out. Honestly, I left the theater feeling like I’d been hunched over in grief for two hours – because I had.

I’m Not There (2007). This thoughtful look at the life of Bob Dylan finds Ledger playing Robbie Clark, a moody actor who stars as a Dylan-like figure in a Hollywood film called “Grain of Sand.” One of the most charming scenes involves Robbie taking a painter named Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) to the country to pick up a motorcycle. In short, Ledger’s best performances were those in which he let his emotions do the talking.

Candy (2007). This film about love and addiction paired Ledger (Dan) and Abbie Cornish (Candy) as lovers hooked on heroin and each other. One particularly heartbreaking scene involves Candy selling herself to a shop owner for $50 while Dan waits in the car. When she returns, you can see the powerlessness written all over his face, as he mutters a weak, “I’m sorry.” Once again, his gripping vulnerability proves once again there was little this talented – and often underrated – actor couldn’t do.