July 12, 2008 - 7:47AM
Source: ABC

Heath Ledger has won rave reviews from Australian critics for his final performance as the Joker in the new Batman movie, fuelling speculation of a rare posthumous Oscar.

Film critics said the late actor was "manically mesmerizing" and overshadowed everyone else in The Dark Knight, which was previewed in Sydney on Thursday ahead of its world premiere in New York on July 14.

"Hypnotic farewell from the Joker," wrote Sydney Morning Herald critic Garry Maddox, saying the film was a reminder of the brilliance of the 28-year-old Perth-born actor who died in his Manhattan apartment in January of an accidental prescription drug overdose.

"And who knows? The campaign for a posthumous Oscar nomination that has started overseas might just gather momentum when The Dark Knight opens next week."

In the Australian newspaper, ABC critic David Stratton said Ledger's performance of "an unforgettable, genuinely creepy, villian" was a cross between Marlon Brando and James Cagney with a touch of Edward G Robinson thrown in.

The Daily Telegraph's film editor Vicky Roach said there was a morbid intensity to the interest in Ledger's final performance but his "triumph in creating one of the most memorable villains in recent cinematic history should be celebrated".

Ledger's eerie performance as the Joker has already won him plaudits from international critics and co-stars, making him an unlikely forerunner to posthumously win the Academy Award for best supporting actor next February.

Ledger was nominated in 2006 for an Oscar for best actor for his role as a brooding gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain.

"If there's a movement to get him the first posthumous (acting) Oscar since Peter Finch won for 1976's Network, sign me up," wrote Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers.

Finch, who was born in England but raised in Australia, died of a heart attack aged 60 during the voting period for the Oscars and remains the only actor to win the award posthumously although Oscars have been awarded posthumously to several non-actors.

Co-star Christian Bale, who plays Batman, was quoted by Contactmusic as saying: "I do think that Heath has created an iconic villain that will stand for the ages, and of course, I would love to see him get an award."

But history is not on Ledger's side. Five other actors nominated posthumously for Oscars were not successful.

James Dean was nominated twice after his death for a best actor Oscar and Spencer Tracy, Massimo Troisi, Ralph Richardson and Jeanne Eagels also missed out on posthumous awards.

Residents of Ledger's home town of Perth have found their own way to ensure his legacy lives on, naming a theatre in his honor for his commitment to acting.

At a naming ceremony last week, state premier for Western Australia Alan Carpenter said the 575-seat theatre was a fitting tribute as Ledger was always supportive of other young actors.

"Heath Ledger was totally dedicated to the craft of being an actor and that's what made him successful," Mr Carpenter said.

"I think what we're doing is continuing that support for young people who want to make a career in the arts and acting, stage and in film, whatever it happens to be."

16 July 2008

Heath Ledger's highly anticipated final completed film, The Dark Knight, opens across Australia on Wednesday.

Ledger, who died of an accidental drug overdose in New York in January aged 28, stars as comic-book hero Batman's chilling arch-enemy, The Joker.

Momentum for the Australian actor's creepy rendition of the role to be nominated for a rare posthumous Academy Award is growing.

The movie had its world premiere in New York on Tuesday that was attended by Ledger's family - his father Kim, sister Kate and mother Sally Bell.

"The Dark Knight is everything we hoped it would be and more," Kim Ledger said after the premiere.

"Heath loved the experience of creating this character and working on the film. We are so proud of our boy."

And his co-stars heaped praise on Ledger's performance.

British actor Michael Caine, who plays Batman/Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred, repeated his belief that at the very least Ledger should receive a best supporting actor nomination.

"My favourite part of the film is the opening monologue of Heath Ledger as the Joker, it's one of the best close-ups I've ever seen in my life," Caine said on the red carpet.

"He was a young actor and this is his moment. He's going to get the Oscar for this."

The end credits of The Dark Knight include a farewell note to Ledger, along with special-effects technician Conway Wickliffe, who was killed last September in a stunt-car accident.

"In memory of our friends Heath Ledger & Conway Wickliffe," reads the tribute included in the credits.

This film is on my Go and Watch list.

Should be good, ive heard that it is a great performance by heath ledger.

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hey morgan, going to see it next week when all kids go back to school. Can't Wait .

Let me know how it is dougie ill prob end up seeing it next week as well.

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21 minutes ago.

Late Australian actor Heath Ledger has won a posthumous Golden Globe award for his performance as psychopathic villain The Joker in Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight.

Batman director Christopher Nolan on Sunday collected the best supporting actor award on behalf of Ledger, who died of an accidental overdose in January last year at the age of 28.

"For any of us to enjoy his performance he will be eternally missed, but he'll never be forgotten," Nolan told guests at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles.

The victory cements Ledger's status as the odds-on favourite to win a best supporting actor Oscar at next month's Academy Awards.

Ledger has already picked up a series of minor awards for his performance in the phenomenally successful Batman sequel.

Perth-born Ledger gained international stardom and was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe for his heart-breaking performance as a taciturn gay cowboy in the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain.

He had already served notice of his talent with parts in several films including Monster's Ball, A Knight's Tale and The Patriot.

As Batman's cackling arch-enemy, Ledger earned rave reviews from critics and co-stars.

"I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as The Joker," wrote Rolling Stone's film critic Pete Travers.

The cast and crew of The Dark Knight were similarly wowed.

British actor Gary Oldman, who plays Gotham City police officer Lieutenant Jim Gordon, is among those who believes Ledger's performance is Oscar-worthy.

"Over the years when I've seen great performances - (Jack) Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Al Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon - you go 'wow, there's something really special at work here'. And I think Heath's done that here. It's like he's gone through the sound barrier."

Nolan said Ledger, renowned for taking on difficult, edgy roles, was chosen for the film precisely for that reason.

"For the role of The Joker I was looking for fearlessness," Nolan said.

"I needed a phenomenal actor, but he (Ledger) also had to be someone unafraid of taking on such an iconic role.

"Heath created something entirely original.

"It's stunning, it's captivating," Nolan said.

Heath's "quiet determination" honoured by family, peers
23/02/2009 9:31:00 PM.
Ledger's family pay tribute

Heath Ledger’s family has delivered a touching speech while accepting the late actor’s Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

The Academy Awards audience was clearly moved as Leger’s father, Kim, mother, Sally and sister, Kate picked up his gong for his role in The Dark Knight.

“First of all I'd have to say this is ever so humbling - being amongst such wonderful people in such a wonderful industry,” Kim Ledger said.

“This award tonight would have humbly validated Heath's quiet determination to be truly accepted by you all here, his peers within an industry he so loved.”

While his sister paid tribute to the extraordinary performance in the Batman film.

“Heath, we both knew what you had created in the Joker was extraordinarily special and had even talked about being here on this very day,” Kate said.

“We really wish you were, but we proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful Matilda.”