I didn't watch the Oscars, but when I heard that Heath Ledger won the award for Best Supporting Actor, to say I was thrilled would be an understatement. I was up until well past midnight waiting for someone to post a video of his family's acceptance speech. A friend of mine (who is the biggest Joker fan I know) told me that the other actors in the audience were tearing up during the acceptance speech, and that even he started tearing up at one point.
I've followed Heath Ledger's career ever since Ten Things I Hate About You, and I went to The Dark Knight three times this summer (and have watched it numerous times since), just to see his intriguingly demented Joker character. I think he was an amazing actor and I don't believe there was anyone who deserved this award more than he. Even if he hadn't died so suddenly, I believe his truly outstanding performance in The Dark Knight would have earned him this Oscar regardless. It's heartbreaking to think that he wasn't around to see his biggest film success to date. It may be trite, and I know they'll never read this, but my thoughts and congratulations go out to his family, especially his daughter.
BRAVO!
Honestly...yes and no. I think the movie was/is solid enough that it could stand on its own without the publicity of Heath Ledger's death, but I don't think it would have been such an immediate smash hit had it not been for that unfortunate event. Batman Begins was a big hit, so I definitely think The Dark Knight would have taken off on its own, just maybe not as quickly as it did.
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