James Dean, Marilyn and Elvis are old news.

Rating: 10/10 (22 July 2008)

Heath Ledger, like James Dean, had the misfortune to die before his talents could be truly appreciated on the big screen. In the case of Dean, only one of his three great roles appeared before his untimely death. While he was a bit more prolific, Ledger's greatest work is only now being comprehended by film-goers. His larger-than-life genesis of The Joker can only be described as legendary. I believe it will stand the test of time as the definitive portrayal of Batman's true nemesis. Sadly, this will likely mean no more Joker in Christopher Nolan's franchise.
Making the creative choice of minimal make-up, unkempt appearance, and no back-story, Ledger, with Nolan, births a Joker whose pathology is genuine, whose menace is as oppressive a part of the dark canvas as the cityscape of Gotham, and is yet tempered with a child-like, and infectious sense of play. Early in the film, his "magic trick," in which he makes a pencil disappear, had a packed, noontime audience at the Hollywood Arclight theatre howling. And every appearance after that simply built upon the audience's relish. Throw in a perfect Joker cackle, and Heath secures eternal identification with this role. It sits on the mantle proudly as his best work. It's also the best Batman film ever, bar none. Ledger's phenomenal performance in no way eclipses the flawless work of the other world- class actors sharing the screen, most notably Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face. It helps their talents in no small measure to have a powerful, intelligent and unpretentious script.
To briefly digress: We in America (or at least our media) tend to get stuck in our ways -- "oldies radio" still plays the same 100 songs they have played for the last 30 years; even on satellite TV, there is nothing good on during the day; and souvenir shop windows on Hollywood Boulevard are still full up with James Dean, Marilyn and Elvis. But there are decades worth of performers who are more than pretenders to the Mount Rushmore of talent the above three always seem to monopolize. Forget that many of the best crop of actors in the 21st century are British, or from one of the other colonies. It IS a new century after all, and a global culture, and while it still behooves many Americans to have home- grown deceased icons of stage, screen and jukebox they can display in velvet over their mantelpieces next to Dale Earnhardt, it's just not realistic. Most people under the age of forty have never seen "Giant," or "Viva Las Vegas". This in no way deflates the star power or the accomplishments of the Holy Trinity. But aside from his "dreamy" voice and classic (or classical) records - which at this point in history belong in a bin next to Pavarotti, rather than PIL - Elvis Presley did not earn his Christ-like status through much more than charisma and chutzpah. Hold any of his films (with the possible exception of "Jailhouse Rock") up against "The Dark Knight". Go ahead. Do it.
I'm getting some TNT and a crew up there on Hollywood's Mount Rushmore. I'll rappel down the face myself and carve out a NEW row of icons, for the new Millennium.
On the basis of his body of work, capped so beautifully by his portrayal of the Joker, Heath Ledger deserves some consideration -- in my humble opinion -- for a spot on the hill.