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Why Heath's death is like a body blow
It's funny, but I've been so busy writing our article about Heath's death that I haven't really had time to ponder what I'm feeling about it. Yet now that I do, I find this is one of those celebrity deaths that really does feel like a body blow. Why exactly? It's not like I ever met Heath, much less knew him. And he's hardly the first celebrity to die far too young (and as JBE said in an early thread, let's hope this was an accident and not a suicide). But as a gay man who was so deeply moved by Heath's performance as Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain, his tragic death somehow resonates much more deeply because of that same performance. Seeing Ennis' pain at the end of Brokeback as he clutched Jack's bloodied shirt, regretting the missed life the two men could've shared, regretting his own wasted life and Jack's senseless death, somehow makes Heath's death and his now own wasted life so much more visceral than it should be. It's ridiculous, but it meant so much to me that Heath and Jake Gyllenhaal were willing to take on the roles of Ennis and Jack when so many other actors ran shrieking from them. I'm a grown man and I don't need the validation of others for my sense of worth. But it was still so meaningful to see Brokeback brought to life and become such a hit despite the anti-gay hatred that is still far too prevalent. And part of the reason it was such a hit was because of Heath's revelatory performance. As if watching Brokeback Mountain weren't already painful enough, that final scene is now going to be even that much gut-wrenching. We're going to miss you, Heath. BTW, here is a pictorial tribute to Heath I created. Submitted by on Tue, 2008-01-22 20:00. |
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I know how you feel.
I know how you feel. This is just unbelievably awful. Not only was his performance in Brokeback one of my favorites by any actor ever, he seemed like such a genuinely nice guy. It's shocking to think he could go this way, because of all the actors who I'd expect to OD, he would be towward the bottom of the list.
I was really hoping he'd go on to make so many more movies, and I was sure he'd be back up for an Oscar, which I think he should have won in the first place. His legacy will endure, though, because that performance will live on for many years to come.
His performance was mesmerizing
because it was so believable and honest. That is not easy to do especially in a role that was a groundbreaker in Hollywood. It would have been very easy to screw it up, instead he gave the character the complexity that it deserved.
My comment about being very upset if it is an overdose is due to personal experiences. I had someone close to me almost die from an overdose. It is hard to describe to people what goes through your mind when you hear the news, but one of the emotions is definitely anger. I guess you feel the person is being selfish and does not consider their loved ones feelings, You think "what am I chopped liver?" That might strike some people as not being understanding or emphathetic, but there it is I am just describing the feelings you have, besides the obvious one of tremendous sadness for the loved ones suffering.
Cheers
JBE
I have cried for hours
Heath
Heath's Death
Michael,
I too am deeply moved and saddened by the death of Heath Ledger. My hands shook and my eyes welled into tears when I had to type, "Heath Ledger, Dead at 28". Such a loss of a talented young actor... and for me as a gay man, Heath will always have a special place in my heart thanks to his beautiful portrayal in the film Brokeback Mountain.
Godspeed, Heath.
- QTC
Editor and Publisher, QueerTwoCents.com
Share your thoughts and feelings about Heath
I was very saddened by the tragic news of Heath Ledger's sudden death. I have created an "In Memoriam" page in the AfterElton Community Forum section HERE so that all his fans can share their thoughts and feelings about this wonderfully talented young actor.
- QTC
QueerTwoCents.com
Tragic waste
Heath Ledger was an excellent actor. I bought "Roar" a DVD of an old tv series from when he was pretty young. It is dated from 1997 so I guess he would have been about 18. It is excellent but I like these types of movies. I also loved him in "10 things I hate about you" an excellent movie of young teens based on taming of the shrew. It was a great performance from him and a great one from Julia Stiles. When he did "Brokeback" he was amazing. He was a good actor and I can only imagine what he could have done with more time. Such a tragedy.
Mourning
afhickman
"The mountain has wings"
I am heartsick. What horrible news to wake up to. Why are these young guys so vulnerable? I just can't think.
"O Sweet Boy"!
afhickman
"The mountain has wings"
Heath was 28 when he died. So young! Here is Shakespeare's Sonnet 28, addressed to another troubled young man:
How can I then return in happy plight,
That am debarre'd the benefit of rest?
When day's oppression is not eas'd by night,
But day by night and night by day oppress'd,
And each, though enemies to either's reign,
Do in consent shake hands to torture me,
The one by toil, the other to complain
How far I toil, still farther off from thee.
I tell the day, to please him thou art bright,
And dost him grace when clouds do blot the heaven:
So flatter I the swart-complexion'd night,
When sparkling stars twire not thou gild'st the even.
But day doth daily draw my sorrows longer,
And night doth nightly make grief's length seem stronger.
I don't get it.
That I remember, I've only seen him in Brokeback Mountain. I didn't care for the film. No-strike that-I hated it on my first viewing. The pivotal scene in the tent dredged up intense feelings of sexual abuse. Of rape. This was no love story to me. I was horrified at the effusive praise it got from the gay community. I'm still a bit baffled. Later viewing, knowing what was coming, I did not react as strongly but the film was still not one of the all time love stories in my book. I thought Heath was fine job as Ennis Del Mar but it was not life changing.
His death? That is life changing for some in particular and so my thoughts go to the devastated Michelle Williams and their little daughter.
You are certainly
entitled to your opinions. I was puzzled why you thought that the tent scene bordered on rape, it was obvious there was strong mutual sexual attraction between the two men. There was no hint it was not consenting. I have to strongly disagree with you that it was not a love story. They were very much in love, unfortunately at a time when two gay men could not openly express their emotions without risking serious consequences.
The reason why it was so important for the gay community was due to it being the first mainstream Hollywood theme that had as its' plot a relationship between two gay men. Neither man exhibited the stereotypes that are so associated with gay men which was refreshing. The movie also provoked discussion within society about the unfairness of how gays have been treated in the past, how are relationships have been thwarted and our lives stunted as a result.
Cheers
JBE
Get You!
afhickman
"The Mountain Has Wings"
Heath Ledger's death has left me mad. Up to a few minutes ago, that anger was directionless, but now it has an object. Why would anybody pick a moment like this to turn critic and offer a negative analysis of either Heath or, what is surely his finest moment on film, "Brokeback Mountain"? I am astounded at the insensitivity of some people. Have you ever had a seriously introspective moment in your life? Have you ever taken a good look at yourself in the mirror? There are people mourning out here, for chrissake. When you "don't get it," that means you are ignorant of the facts. And that's the time to keep your solipsistic mouth shut!
Drug demons
This is so very sad, I haven't been able to stop thinking about Heath since I heard the news yeaterday. Entertainment reporter Roger Friedman is always very reliable about show business news and here's what he has to say today. It sounds like Heath was killed by his drug demons - a sad, familiar story.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,324785,00.html
Thanks for this information
I was hoping somehow it was an accident. Sometimes people who are on tranquilizers also drink alcohol not knowing the possible consequences.
If it is due to his drug abuse, I just hope the media does not act like vultures and hover around his family and friends (I believe he has a child from a woman he had a relationship with). They don't need a media circus to add to their grief.
Part of me is angry that famous people continue to get addicted to drugs or alcohol then have a hell of a time getting off of them. There is a certain pop star with the initials BS that the media is obsessed with right now that is another grim reminder of the traps substance abuse can create for people. Why won't people learn, if you are under a lot of stress or depressed try and find other avenues to solve your problems. I have had times in my life where I walked with "the black dog of depression" but fortunately I managed to avoid alcoohol or drugs as a way out.
Cheers
JBE
HEATH LEDGER
Heath
I couldn't stop thinking
I couldn't stop thinking about his death all day. I don't think it's really sank in yet.
Heath deserves much credit for taking on the role of Ennis in Brokeback Mountain. I read quite a few actors, at the advice of their agents turned the role of both Ennis and Jack down, off course now regretting that decision. Nevertheless, it was Heath that took the role of Ennis Del Mar and put in one magnificant performance. And he was clearly proud of to be a part of this great movie.
I do think when he took the role in Brokeback Mountain he thought it was going to be just one of those small independant movies that would make a brief appearance at the cinemas, and then out on DVD soon after. But to everyone's supprise it was a huge hit across the world, throwing Heath onto the world's stage, something he was terribly uncomfortable with. I remember when Heath, Jake and Michelle were on the Opera show promoting the film, and Jake said...if he had know the movies was going to be this big he didn't he would have taken the role. It was quite overwhelming for all the young cast.
Anyway, from the reaction around the world, Heath was a dearly loved actor, more so then he could ever imagine. So very sad.