Heath Ledger, 5 Years Later

The Belles are ashamed to report that we missed a major milestone last week-- last Tuesday was the fifth anniversary of the death of Heath Ledger, who died unexpectedly in his NYC apartment at the painfully young age of 28 on January 22, 2008. In memorial of one of our generation's finest actors, we're marking the anniversary of his death by listing our favorite Heath Ledger roles.

6. Patrick Verona - 10 Things I Hate About You
 I dare you to watch this and not smile:

What girl didn't fall in love with Heath Ledger in this classic 1990s high school rom-com? Sure, he didn't win any awards for this, but Heath made his big debut in this lovable little movie that I'm not ashamed to watch a few times every year. His Patrick Verona wasn't the same kind of stock rom-com hero you'd get from some of his contemporaries (cough*FreddiePrinzeJr*cough); instead, Heath's rom-com lead was edgy and reminiscent of a complicated John Hughes hero. And who didn't want to go to that gorgeous high school??

5. Ned Kelly - Ned Kelly
I know, I know-- NO ONE SAW THIS MOVIE. But, that's a shame, because it boasts a great cast (Geoffrey Rush! Naomi Watts!). Heath Ledger was particularly excited about this project since it was a big ole slice of Australian history that centered on one of Oz's most notorious folk heroes. Ned Kelly also shows the kind of unconventional choices that Heath made throughout his career. Instead of signing on for another rom-com or big-budget blockbuster, he took a step back from Hollywood, kangaroo-hopped back to Australia, and made a relatively small period piece about a folk hero. Plus, THAT ACCENT.

4. Jacob Grimm - The Brothers Grimm
This was Ledger's first collaboration with irreverent director Terry Gilliam. (Their next collaboration produced Heath's final, unfinished role in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasus.) Heath's performance as the bookish and brilliant younger Grimm stood out-- Jacob is a neurotic, fidgety dreamer, and we loved him for it.

3. Gabriel Martin - The Patriot
Confession time: I watch this movie every July 4th. What's not to love?! Muskets! Beautiful South Carolina! Scrappy patriots! Bundling sacks! If people didn't know Heath Ledger before this movie came out, they certainly knew him afterwards. Yes, the presentation of history in the film is a little suspect. Yes, Mel Gibson gets crazy eyes in it sometimes. And, yes, Heath looks damn good in colonial garb. That's really all you need to know.

2. Ennis Del Mar - Brokeback Mountain
This movie had a flawless cast-- yes, even Anne Hath-an-annoying-way was good-- but Ledger was easily the standout. Heath's physicality as an actor comes across most clearly in his performance as Ennis. The way Ennis moved-- tight and slightly hunched over, as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders-- and the way he talked-- restrained and wound up like a fist-- told you everything about the character. And this final scene, when Ennis strokes his deceased lover's bloodied shirt and jacket, still drives me to tears every viewing.

1. The Joker - The Dark Knight
There is nothing that I can say about this role that hasn't already been said. Heath won a much deserved posthumous Oscar (well done, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences!) for his performance as the maniacal, iconic Joker. That mouth!! I still get uncomfortable watching this scene.

Heath lives on in all of the memorable roles he created. His was a career too short and a life too brief. RIP, Heath. You are missed.