Jul 03 2008
Ledger generates Oscar buzz before film’s release
Heath Ledger’s performance in the upcoming Batman film is winning him rave reviews, with many critics pushing for the late Australian actor to be awarded a posthumous Oscar.
Five months after his death, the first critics to see The Dark Knight – due in Australian cinemas in two weeks – are giving the actor plenty of praise.
Rolling Stone magazine critic Peter Travers says Heath’s portrayal as the Joker was brilliant.
“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,” he wrote.
“I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as the Joker.
“If there’s a movement to get him the first posthumous [acting] Oscar since Peter Finch won for 1976′s Network, sign me up.”
Sam Rubin, a respected entertainment correspondent for Los Angeles KTLA network, said Ledger would “absolutely be nominated for an Oscar, and at this point in the year is a hands-down favourite to win it posthumously”.
“Ledger offers perfect pitch, perfect tone, his Joker hits all the right notes,” he added.
Meanwhile an Associated Press review described the Joker as possibly Ledger’s finest performance – even better than his Brokeback Mountain role for which he was nominated for an Oscar.
