The Dark Knight - A Slightly Different Take on a Great Movie
Let me preface this by saying, I loved this movie. It drew me in and held me for two and a half solid hours - quite the feat these days. All of the things I’d heard about it were true, stunning performace by Heath Ledger, amazing special effects, and likely the coolest motorcylcle EVER.
That said, I have some thoughts I’d like to share - not sure they are quite epiphanies, but hey, bear with me. First, I have to say that - stunning effects or not, without that performance by Ledger, this was just another super hero movie. Bale’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne was better than usual, but not on screen long enough to make a real impression. The Batman wasn’t on screen enough to really even be considered the star - The Joker was the movie. Literally.
Here’s the thing. Jack Nicholson did a beautiful portrayal of the noir comic Joker from the original comic books. Heath Ledger played a very real, very believable version - the sort of dramatic performance you expect in “serious” film, and it took everyone by storm, much as Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of Hannibal did years ago.
Two-face - Dent - he was a great character up until the accident. The effects on his face? Right back to the Nicholson Joker and Danny Devito Penguin. The link to reality was Ledger, and he made all the difference. I’ve said for many years that if horror movies, superhero movies, and for the most part GENRE movies would use more of their budget on scripting, quality actors, and serious directing that they would get more respect. A performance like Ledger turned in is proof of this. I can’t think of another thing about the film that would have stuck with me with the single exception of the moment the criminal tosses the remote control that would blow up the boat or innocent citizens.
I guess my point is that one actor in a film can make every bit of difference. For me, regardless of all the “he’s dead, so they’d have to give it to him if he was nominated” crap I’ve heard, the Oscar would seem almost necessary. What he did was to give serious validation to a film that was otherwise destined to make a quick splash and disappear.
My final question would be…and I say this sincerely, becausae after “A Knight’s Tale,” which I loved, and this performance as The Joker, I am saddened by his passing. Heath….why so serious?
DNW
07/28/08, 10:52 AM |
I’ve loved Heath Ledger since 10 Things I Hate About You, and, of course, Knight’s Tale. He was completely a one of a kind.
That said, I’ve always said that while a great script can pull along an otherwise mediocre movie- casting can make even a crap script come to life. Whenever you see a movie or TV show take off, it’s always the actors. You can’t replace a single one of the mains because it would disrupt the chemistry they have on screen. Harry Potter for instance- there are better actors (though the trio are quite good), but if you replaced any one of the three, the movies would lose much of their appeal.
Writing is such a subjective art, but casting directors are the alchemists of today. My opinion only.
07/28/08, 10:56 AM |
My favorite example of what you are talking about is MYSTERY MEN which has NO RIGHT to be as freaking entertaining as it is…and yet, I love that film.
In this case, I think, though, that Batman is just an Iconic figure - The Joker was the star of the film, possibly even as written. There is not enough time in a single film to fully develop too large a group of characters unless (as in Harry Potter) they mostly interact together in the majority of the scenes. They spent so much time in this one on The Joker that the rest had to be somewhat glossed over. Dent was “okay” but still a bit plastic for me - Batman was hardly involved at all..
It worked, for whatever reasons. So very sad to see Heath pass.
David