Critic: Heath Ledger Should Win Oscar

Us Magazine - June 26, 2008 8:24 PM PDT
Story photo: Critic: Heath Ledger Should Win OscarUs Magazine
One of the first reviews of The Dark Knight hails Heath Ledger's performance of the Joker as Oscar-worthy.

"I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as the Joker," Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers writes.

"It's typical of Ledger's total commitment to films as diverse as Brokeback Mountain and I'm Not There that he does nothing out of vanity or the need to be liked," Travers continues.

"Ledger's Joker has no gray areas " he's all rampaging id," the critic says. "He creates a Joker for the ages"

"No plastic mask for Ledger," Travers describes. "His face is caked with moldy makeup that highlights the red scar of a grin, the grungy hair and the yellowing teeth of a hound fresh out of hell."

Travers says the performance makes him an Oscar contender.

"If there's a movement to get him the first posthumous Oscar since Peter Finch won for 1976's Network, sign me up," he writes.

The actor " who died at age 28 of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs in January " will be honored in the end credits of the film.

(Click here for a photo retrospective of Ledger's life.)

Ledger will be acknowledged along with Conway Wickliffe, a special-effects technician on the film who died in a stunt in September.

"In memory of our friends Heath Ledger & Conway Wickliffe," the credit reads, according to Warner Bros. publicity Web site.

(See Us' photo tribute to stars who have gone too soon.)

Dark Knight star Christian Bale opens up about working with Ledger in the new issue of Parade.

"He was a unique character, a very infectious character," Bale says. "He was a good man, and I was glad to have spent time with him."

The film opens July 18.

Tell Us: Will you see Dark Knight?

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  • ashlee24_7
    "Rachaels19" You are the crazy one...not to mention perverted, rude, ignorant and narrow minded. Get a life....Heath was ten times the person that you'll ever be.
    report abuseposted July 10, 2008 9:32 AM PDT
  • Rachael's 19
    HEATH FANS: I say if he wants an Oscar -- they should open up his casket on TV and toss it inside. Are these HEATH fans that crazy??
    report abuseposted June 30, 2008 7:39 PM PDT
  • lexie
    Yes I will be going to see Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight. I liked Heath as an actor. His last few movies showed his diversity and talent which of course would have only continued for him. I love the Batman movies anyway and want to see Heath's last performance in such an unusual role. I cannot wait. If he were alive I still think he would have been nominated for his role as Joker. Sad h
    report abuseposted June 28, 2008 8:18 AM PDT
  • jazzy g
    why do they always talk about giving something to the dead?! he should have had one along time ago !!
    report abuseposted June 27, 2008 4:39 PM PDT
  • Jessica J
    God I can't believe He is gone.. Such a great talent.. Rest In peace Heath..
    report abuseposted June 26, 2008 11:12 PM PDT
  • bhunti
    yes
    report abuseposted June 26, 2008 10:42 PM PDT
  • Mary M
    No Way
    report abuseposted June 26, 2008 9:48 PM PDT

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