markr1963

Seems he is winning awards all over the place and is in line for a supporting actor Oscar for his role in the Batman flick.

I am not disputing he did a fine job of portraying the Joker but would he be receiving such critical acclaim and the Oscar nomination had he not 'off'ed (allegedly) himself a year ago?

Personally, I think not.

Turbo2

Of course not. Oscar for a Batman film? Come off it!

davegtt

Alive or not, it was a fantastic performance of the joker IMO and yes, Ive not seen many more films this year with roles played to rival it.

Geezer

Talk of Ledgers outstanding performance abounded before he died, and after seeing Dark Knight, I can understand why.

I'm sure there will be an element of sympathy in the vote, but he certainly deserved a nomination for it.

And, after all, it's his only chance now, be shame to deny him

Geezer

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Yes. Putting aside the whole "dead artist" issue, it was a stunning performance. He stole the show, which in a film with a SFX budget that big, takes some doing!

It's a comic book film though and the reality is that they don't generally do too well for actors at the Oscars!

Ns04

Scooby Snacks 23

Absolutely - it was a fabulous performance.

He gets my vote

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Yep, nothing to do with his death, having not been a fan of Batman movies and only going to see it based on the fact there was nothing else on, I was totally blown away, Jack Nicholson did a good job of the Joker but in the Dark Knight Heath Ledger nailed it completely.

ronjeramy

iTrader: (1)

What other actors is he up against?

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

He made the film and the Dark Knight is one of the films of 2008 for me. Definitely deserved if he gets it.

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

I 2nd that.

mrtheedge2u2

His performance was A-grade... outshone the other cast members by far and turned the joker into a truely memorable character

MickWrx

I would like to see him get one as a tribute to his life in film, I know that this is not what the Oscar are specifically for, but it would be a great gesture to celebrate his career however short.

I remember watching 'A Knights Tale' quite along time ago not knowing him them as an actor and really enjoying the film and equally his performance.

HankScorpio

No. Good performance and if alive, would get a nomination but wouldn't win.

Tidgy

wether he was alive or dead his performance as the joker was fantastic, he had alot to live up to, but pulled it off with class and brilliance.

Dave1980

I think it is thoroughly well deserved, as much as the character is memorable anyway i think heath ledger stole the show.
It was by far and away the most memorable role in a very very good film.

I would probably even say it was better than Jack Nicholsons performance which is saying something!.
Probably just as it was a much creepier and darker character than the first joker.

Gav

Without a doubt he should win it in my opinion

NXG

I think he should win it too. I'll bet you a tenner he does

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

I'd go with a big fat yes .. he played the part perfectly !

YouTube - The Joker Party Crashing Scene from TDK

messiah

I think he'll win it.

He was very good as the joker but I can't help thinking it will be a sympathy vote.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Agreed Dark Knight is a comic book film, but one crafted on a epic scale almost as grand as that of The Godfather and in this masterful piece of film making one performance towers above all others and that is Heath Ledger as The Joker.

So a mesmerising performance in a film firmly sitting in the IMDB all time top 10films - Oscar? You bet!!

And that has nothing to do with him being deceased.

Jamz3k

The Dark Knight was a good film, but Heath Ledgers as the Joker was Astoundingly good in my opinion.

Best way i can put it is, Keano Reaves, I go see a film with him in it and he plays Keano Reaves. I went and seen Dark Knight and i didn't see Heath Ledger only a guy called The Joker.

Snazy

What he said

I was not sure before seeing the film if his acting would live up to the hype, as most dont. But I was pleasently suprised to see a fantastic portrayal of what has been up until now, a poorly represented part.
He put the Dark, in the title of the film.

Jamz3k

its great when something lives up to the hype. very rarely happens.....or so my girlfriend likes to point out

Spooky Mulder

I read all the hype and expected the worst when I turned on my BD player.

I was shocked by how good Dark Knight is and The Joker was tremendous. Very dark, very unsettling - I have rarely seen a performance as powerful.

darts_aint_sport

I can think of better title-cast performances this year (e.g. The Wrestler) but I can't think of any better supporting performance so yes I think he deserves the Supporting Actor oscar, which I suspect he'll get.

Snazy

^^ Thats what I meant to say

gallois

as was rightly said, his portrayal of joker was phenomenal, although the most memorable scenes are at the hospital, where he bizarrely washes his hands, and then faffs around trying to detonate the explosives.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Why should being dead make any difference to how his performance is regarded ?

It should not count for or against, it was a film released in the qualifying period, his death is inconsequential to the result or should be, ok it is shame that he cant appreciate it but would you want to be excluded after your death from awards for things you did in life ?

Or do you want some one from Mamma Mia to get it