Few actors have had a career as tragic as Heath Ledger. Ever since the 1990’s, Ledger built a lasting legacy. Whether its comic-book villains, knights or teenagers, Ledger played several characters. Ledger amazed audiences until his tragic death in 2008. Following his death, Ledger left behind several films worth watching. Listed below are my picks for the greatest movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Dark Knight
The Joker is a legendary comic-book character that has shaped my brother’s identity. As far as I remember, my brother has always been a huge fan of the Joker. I remember forming a strong bond with a brother that was a huge fan of the villainous comic-book character. He grew up to embrace a villain holding a special place in his heart that always left a lasting smile on his face. Through his love for the Joker, my brother gave me greater appreciation for a legendary comic-book character. As someone treasuring bright memories of a brother that loved the Joker, I adored “The Dark Knight”. Released in 2008, Heath Ledger’s captivating comic-book masterpiece introduced the Joker on the big-screen. In the greatest role of his career, Ledger transforms into a menacing villain that evokes fear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly immersed in his most iconic role. Ledger’s greatest strength as an actor has always been his method acting, and it is clearly evident in “The Dark Knight”. With the Joker, Ledger created one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history. To prepare for the role, Ledger spent several months isolated in his hotel perfecting the Joker’s maniacal laugh. For instance, the interrogation scene in which the Joker has an intense one-on-one confrontation with Batman showcases the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “The Dark Knight” Heath Ledger’s greatest movie is its message. It delivers a profound message about terrorism which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years following the release of a comic-book film about clownish villains causing cities to experience terror, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose memorable movies audiences treasure.
2. Brokeback Mountain
Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Several years ago, I witnessed the hardships faced by a gay cousin that sought acceptance in Toronto. Fond of women’s attire, he was a person my family would admire. Unaware that he was queer, I bonded with a cousin about whom I came to deeply care. However, sexuality ended bonds forever. The shocking discovery of his sexual identity caused our bond to end abruptly. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the back-breaking tension faced by queer individuals as powerfully as “Brokeback Mountain”. Released in 2005, Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning movie did an extraordinary job of capturing the tense hardships endured by queer communities. In the most emotional role of his career, Ledger embodies a queer cowboy whose affair becomes a heavy burden to bear. Ledger effectively uses his strong expressions without speaking a single word to capture the hardships that a queer cowboy goes through. For instance, the scene in which Jack and Ennis have a tense argument about their relationship is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Brokeback Mountain” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about love which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about queer cowboys climbing mountains facing a back-breaking burden to bear, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has created a career by playing complex heroes in films about which audiences care.
3. 10 Things I Hate About You
Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a pretty girl in school with dreams of marriage. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was an attractive girl that my entire school would admire. Fearing that I would look like a fool, I never had the courage to ask out a popular girl in school. As someone treasuring joyous memories of a childhood crush I grew up to value, I adored “10 Things I Hate About You”. Released in 1999, Heath Ledger’s coming-of-age classic captured bonds between teen lovers in high school. In the most comical role of his career, Ledger embodies a rebellious teenager seeking to pursue a romantic affair. Ledger has always been an actor with a sharp sense of humour, and his comedic timing is evident in “10 Things I Hate About You”. For instance, the scene in which Patrick sings in a football stadium confessing his love for Kat in front of the school is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, “10 Things I Hate About You” stands out because of its message. The film delivers a strong message that would resonate with everyone cherishing a childhood crush at an early age. An engaging portrait of teens listing 10 things they hate about each other in high school, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose timeless movies audiences have always considered to be cool.
4. A Knight’s Tale
Medieval knights in history have shaped my teacher’s identity. I remember an English teacher in high school that grew up to treasure medieval knights in history. He would often tell tales about knights with great details. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that loved telling the tale of medieval knights, I adored “A Knight’s Tale”. Released in 2001, Heath Ledger’s movie offered a captivating look at medieval knights in ancient history. In the most physically demanding role of his career, Ledger embodies a knight without fear. Ledger showcased a strong commitment to becoming a medieval knight through method acting. For instance, the scene in which William engages in his first jousting tournament showcases the actor’s strengths. Ultimately, what makes “A Knight’s Tale” one of Heath Ledger’s greatest films is its encompassing appeal. It delivers a universal message about the importance of finding one’s identity which would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing portrait of medieval knights seeking success in a tournament, it’s a rousing reminder of an actor whose movies deserve to be treasured as timeless entertainment.
5. I’m Not There
Bob Dylan is a legendary musician that has always earned my grandfather’s appreciation. I vividly remember forming a strong bond with a grandfather that was a huge fan of the world-famous country singer. Through his love for Bob Dylan, my grandfather gave me a lifelong appreciation for the legendary musician. In 2007, Heath Ledger did an extraordinary job of portraying the renowned musician in his biopic “I’m Not There”. In the most melodious role of his career, Ledger embodies a legendary musician that composed melodies people considered to be precious. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a legendary musician in history, but Ledger succeeds tremendously. Not only does he bear a striking physical resemblance to Bob Dylan, but he captures the singer’s larger-than-life personality. Ultimately, what makes “I’m Not There” a great biopic is its message. It delivers a meaningful message about stardom which would resonate with everyone. A magnificent tribute to a musician composing songs which were melodious, it’s a marvellous reminder of an adventurous actor whose movies audiences consider to be precious.
6. The Lords of Dogtown
Skateboarding is one of those activities that I’ve never found appealing. I remember peers in school that used to engage in an activity that they found cool. They would often speak fondly about a hobby that shaped their identity. However, I could never understand what was so special about skateboarding. As someone with no interests in skateboarding in my town, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed “The Lords of Dogtown”. Released in 2005, Heath Ledger’s movie did an excellent job of celebrating the culture of skateboarding. In the most comical role of his career, Ledger embodies a passionate skateboarder with love for engaging in a passionate hobby that he holds dear. A dazzling tribute towards the culture of skateboarding in America, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with charisma that became an icon in Cinema.
7. Monster’s Ball
Racism is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has commonly shied away from telling realistic stories regarding race that are hard to face. However, in 2001 Heath Ledger pulled off the tall order of tackling the commemorated subject matter in his film “Monster’s Ball”. In the most courageous role of his career, Ledger embodies a corrections officer that participates in executions of black prisoners causing despair. It’s a tough role that requires the actor to play a character that’s unlikeable, but Ledger succeeds tremendously. Ledger showcases his emotional range by playing a prisons officer that’s detestable. A powerful portrait of racism causing lives of prison guards to fall, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has never lost his abilities to enthral whose memorable movies are easy to recall.
8. The Patriot
Over the past decade, the war movie genre has faced declines in quality. With their loud battle sequences, lacklustre storytelling and wooden characters, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. That being said, “The Patriot” is a patriotic exception. Released in 2000, Heath Ledger’s movie did an excellent job of depicting the American Revolutionary War on the big-screen. In the most patriotic role of his career, Ledger portrays a heroic solider that’s dedicated to fighting in a war that’s catastrophic. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing heroic characters. A powerful portrait of patriotic soldiers that fought in a war with consequences which were tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor that has created an iconic legacy whose timeless movies audiences consider authentic.
9. Candy
Drug addiction is a sensitive topic rarely depicted in movies in ways that are realistic. Hollywood has often struggled to tell realistic stories about substance abuse making headline news. In an industry that has often shied away from depicting drug addiction, it’s worth recognizing “Candy”. Released in 2006, Heath Ledger’s movie did an excellent job of depicting the downtrodden lives of heroin addicts on the big-screen. In the most sensitive role of his career, Ledger embodies a heroin user suffering from addiction that’s severe. Drawing from his own personal experience with drug addiction, Ledger creates a powerful portrait of a heroin addict on a path of self-destruction. A heartbreaking portrait of the harrowing hardships that heroin addicts face, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose terrific movies audiences embrace.
10. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
On January 22, 2008, Heath Ledger tragically passed away from a devastating drug overdose. Before his unfortunate death, Ledger delivered one final performance that showcased his talents in the film “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”. Released in 2008, Terry Gilliam’s fantasy film was a fantastic farewell towards the late actor. In his final film role, Ledger embodied a theatre performer whose life spirals out of control. Ledger showcased powerful commitment in his final film performance before his tragic death. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave Ledger one last opportunity to showcase his method acting. As precious as dreams Dr. Parnassus is pursuing, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor leaving behind a lasting legacy whose timeless movies I will forever treasure several years after his heartbreaking passing left the world mourning.
The Film Buff 
You must be logged in to post a comment.