Jack, I swear...

Jack, I swear...
Current mood: thoughtful

So, unless you've been living under a rock you know by now that actor Heath Ledger died two days ago.

Now, I never knew him personally. And I cannot state on his personality or way of life. It's amazing how you can read interviews and think you know someone. But, I want to talk about the things I do know:

I do know that this man, normal man, was a good actor. He did well for a young age.

I saw "10 things" in the theater the day it released back in '99. And yes, I fell in love with it. I have it on DVD and VHS. When he starts singing 'Can't take my eyes off of you' - and the camera zooms up to his face. I remember thinking "God, he's hot, I love his freckles."

Yes, boys, chicks think like this.

The movie is good classic cheese that had a good cast (even Joesph Gordon Levitt in his 3rd Rock heyday. Where did THAT dude go?) and reworked a very old story to a generation (MY generation) most of who have the attention span of 2 year old child.

After that was "A Knight's Tale" - which you either liked or hated. I owe it - and the soundtrack. Although I could really careless for his female lead in that movie, Shannyn Sossamon, he really did carry the film...along with the characters that played his friends.

I'm a big fan of friendship.

Next up, we had "Monster's Ball" & "The Patriot". Two movies of which I enjoyed but do not own. Monster's Ball was very original and seemed like I could actually know those people. So much tragedy and heartache.

But, of course you knew I was going to mention "Brokeback Mountain".

Brokeback is probably in my favorite top 10 films of all time list.

And if you think it's just because it's a 'gay cowboy movie' then you obviously don't know me and haven't seen it. I will revert to my original post back in '06 when I saw it.

"Heath Ledger DESERVES any award he gets for that film. Holy crap. I can totally relate to his character. Not that I have an attraction to a female, but the way he cuts himself off from feeling anything. It has really made me think."

I related to his character. The stoic expressions and internal frustration. That story isn't about 'gay cowboys' - it's about falling in love with someone because it is just that person. Being male or female is moot. Love is love.

Heath showed extreme use of method acting to be so young. When talking to Julie, the only person I could compare him to was Brando. Very young Brando. "Streetcar" Brando. Where you really think "this could be someone I know.."

Now, I have ranted on & on about the roles I loved him in. I see him becoming the James Dean of our time. Although Dean only did three films and died at 24. They both had 'it' factor. And they were both talented, beautiful people - that few understood.

I'd like to think that he was a good person who loved his daughter. That is what all the articles say anyway. One article summed the real tragedy of what happened up:

"At the end of Brokeback we see Heath as a middle-aged man getting a visit from his grown daughter. A role, unfortunately, he will never get to play as himself."