Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times?

Actually, I think it's the Sunday Times, which ends up at my house on Saturday, for whatever reason.

Anyway, there are two full-page ads next to each other in the Arts and Leisure section: one for Brokeback Mountain, and the other for that movie Casanova.

I just sort of shook my head, looked at them and went "well, those are.... different." Couldn't be more different, maybe. Casanova looks like it's something right back in Mr. Ledger's kind-of-boring romantic comedy/gallant heroic guy niche. He needs to get out of that.

Anyway, I thought the pairing quite odd, a little awkward, and slightly jarring (suffice it to say the guy is obviously versatile, but still -- I wonder if this other movie will be of any consequence?) but I also think that Mr. Ledger is worthy of discussion. And I'm bored.

Thank you.

---

Updated On: 12/24/05 at 11:04 PM

I went ga-ga for Heath in KNight's Tale, but he disturbed me in Monster's Ball ... I'm excited to see his new stuff.

Casanova actually got quite a good review in Friday's Times!

---

I want to see it because he absolutely makes me melt.

---

It's because of things *like* Casanova that I never thought him much of an actor, but rather a very good-looking few-trick pony. Until Brokeback Mountain.

Maybe the acclaim he's getting for Brokeback will be enough to overshadow the cheesiness of Casanova, if it's really that cheesy.

---

I suppose that in order to detect possible motives or whether this is some sort of attempt to go hide back in an acting comfort zone, it depends on which movie was made first. Or which part was accepted first.

Of course, now I think he's very talented, and I hope he continues to stretch his abilities.

---

I did see the TV spot that compared it to Shakespeare in Love. Kind of bold, since it just... doesn't look that good.

---

I saw Casanova a couple of weeks ago and I enjoyed it more than I expected. I was sick, too, so I actually thought I'd leave early, but I didn't since I was enjoying it for the most part (but did skip the Q&A with Lasse Hallstrom).
I haven't seen any trailers or commercials, but I find it to be a bit sillier than Shakespeare in Love. Actually, near the end it descended into such a farce, which was a bit over the top for me, even taking the rest of it into consideration.
I did love the look of it and the classical music they used. I thought Heath Ledger was enjoyable in the role, but it's not supposed to be a historical record of Casanova, just provide some elements of his life and the time in Venice.

When Heath was at the Q&A for my Brokeback Mtn screening, someone asked him about the diversity in going from Brokeback to Casanova. He basically said it he needed something less intense after doing Brokeback and didn't want to pass up the chance to spend 4-5 months in Venice, which he thought would be fun and interesting. I'd guess he got paid more for this, too.

Updated On: 12/25/05 at 12:10 PM

not to mention that he's with Michelle Williams and is a new daddy! That is quite the year.

" suffice it to say the guy is obviously versatile "

Oh em, if you only knew the thoughts you just put into the minds of most guys on this forum... LOL

GMF, I knew *exactly* what I was doing. I typed it, and went to delete it upon realizing the implication of what I had just written, and then I decided I'd keep it.

Yay for Heath.

---

When it comes to BROKEBACK, to quote from Barbra and Donna, or Donna and Barbra, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. :)

---

Thought I'd dig this back up because I just watched Brothers Grimm last night and re-fell in love with Heath ; )