By Connor Cigrang
What does it take to have your name become synonymous with the most famous comic villain of all-time? A breath-taking performance would be a good start, but the prestigious honor of such an accomplishment requires far more than just brilliant acting. The actor must evoke an emotional reaction in the viewer that leaves him both happy and confused; a feeling through which he doesn’t know if he should love the brilliance of the performance or hate the evil of the character itself.
Generational talents are rare, they are people who pour into their work and become obsessed with portraying their character perfectly. Everyone wants to be remembered for their acting but not everyone is willing to put in the time necessary to do so, those who are willing are the actors we still talk about decades later.
Heath Ledger’s portrayal of ‘the Joker’, in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, (2008) is widely regarded, amongst colleagues and critiques alike, as one of the best acting performances of all time. Fellow cast member Maggie Gyllenhaal, who played Rachel Dawes in the film, praised Ledger’s performance in an interview with Comingsoon.net,
“I knew immediately that he was doing something really unusual and rare and extremely special, even for the most talented and experienced actors, which is that he sort of found this stride where he was totally free.”
Generational talents are rare, they are people who pour into their work and become obsessed with portraying their character perfectly. Everyone wants to be remembered for their acting but not everyone is willing to put in the time necessary to do so, those who are willing are the actors we still talk about decades later.
Heath Ledger’s portrayal of ‘the Joker’, in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, (2008) is widely regarded, amongst colleagues and critiques alike, as one of the best acting performances of all time. Fellow cast member Maggie Gyllenhaal, who played Rachel Dawes in the film, praised Ledger’s performance in an interview with Comingsoon.net,
“I knew immediately that he was doing something really unusual and rare and extremely special, even for the most talented and experienced actors, which is that he sort of found this stride where he was totally free.”
Ledger and Gyllenhaal in a scene from The Dark Knight.
The performance won him an Oscar in 2009 for, ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role’. Nolan’s writing proved to pair brilliantly with Ledger’s performance, cumulating in a fresh, innovative version of the classic comic book character. The Dark Knight brings forth a version of the Joker that is darker and more twisted than any previous interpretation. Depicting the clown prince of crime in new form, Ledger created a mysterious figure that is always one step ahead.
The character of ‘the Joker’ has origins far before Ledger’s portrayal of him. Beginning as a comic book character in the DC Universe, the Joker was Batman’s arch nemesis. Always playing tricks on and fooling Batman, the Joker ensued chaos whenever and wherever he could. He was depicted first on the big screen by Caesar Romero in the 1960’s telecom Batman as a giggly troublemaker who gleaned at tricking Batman and his sidekick Robin. Jack Nicholson followed Romero in 1989, bringing forth a new version of the Joker in Tim Burton’s Batman. A deformed mobster, Nicholson’s play on the Joker introduced a more sinister side to the character while still maintaining his funny and quirky personality. Romero and Nicholson both brought forth comedic versions of the character, but still included elements of crime. Each made audiences laugh with their jokes and wit, even managing to get audience members to forget their character was “the bad-guy”.
The character of ‘the Joker’ has origins far before Ledger’s portrayal of him. Beginning as a comic book character in the DC Universe, the Joker was Batman’s arch nemesis. Always playing tricks on and fooling Batman, the Joker ensued chaos whenever and wherever he could. He was depicted first on the big screen by Caesar Romero in the 1960’s telecom Batman as a giggly troublemaker who gleaned at tricking Batman and his sidekick Robin. Jack Nicholson followed Romero in 1989, bringing forth a new version of the Joker in Tim Burton’s Batman. A deformed mobster, Nicholson’s play on the Joker introduced a more sinister side to the character while still maintaining his funny and quirky personality. Romero and Nicholson both brought forth comedic versions of the character, but still included elements of crime. Each made audiences laugh with their jokes and wit, even managing to get audience members to forget their character was “the bad-guy”.
 Romero (left) |  Nicholson (right) |
Ledger’s performance makes a dramatic shift from the appealing version of the Joker that Romero and Nicholson had made iconic. He and Nolan put a unique spin on the character, retaining the Joker’s comedic personality but, displaying it in an even darker and psychotic way. Unlike previous versions of the character, Ledger’s version of the Joker found humor in the terror and pain he inflicted on others. Rather than finding fun in simply thwarting Batman’s plans, Ledger’s version enjoys creating anarchy. As is depicted in the film, the Joker enjoys killing and ‘making the world burn’. He does not care about any material elements the world can offer, but rather creating chaos in the most civilized places. He works to expose the true persona of Gotham’s most respected members of law enforcement and appeals to the darkest emotions of each individual. The Joker breaks Batman’s will by destroying the status quo he created.
Unlike traditional comic book scenarios, the hero does not win in The Dark Knight. This is what makes the film, and Ledger’s version of the character, so brilliant. While yes, Batman manages to stop the Joker and capture him at the end of the film, it comes at a cost. The Joker exposes the true nature of Gotham’s white knight, Harvey Dent, by disfiguring him and taking away what he loves most. He also forces Batman to go against his most valued principle and choose one life over another (saving Harvey Dent and therefore allowing his childhood friend Rachel to die). Becoming disfigured and losing the love of his life (Rachel) proves too much for Dent and his true ‘two-faced’ nature is exposed. The Joker knew that even Dent, the shining symbol of legitimate justice in Gotham City, could be broken and that he could turn him into a monster as horrific as himself. In order to save Dent’s reputation, and preserve the little will the city had left, Batman is forced to kill Dent and then take the blame for all the murders he had committed. Unlike any prior version, the Joker wins. His psyche and desire for anarchy are so strong that not even Batman can stop him. This element is huge, never before had audiences seen a villain truly break Batman down in the way that the Joker does in this film.
Unlike traditional comic book scenarios, the hero does not win in The Dark Knight. This is what makes the film, and Ledger’s version of the character, so brilliant. While yes, Batman manages to stop the Joker and capture him at the end of the film, it comes at a cost. The Joker exposes the true nature of Gotham’s white knight, Harvey Dent, by disfiguring him and taking away what he loves most. He also forces Batman to go against his most valued principle and choose one life over another (saving Harvey Dent and therefore allowing his childhood friend Rachel to die). Becoming disfigured and losing the love of his life (Rachel) proves too much for Dent and his true ‘two-faced’ nature is exposed. The Joker knew that even Dent, the shining symbol of legitimate justice in Gotham City, could be broken and that he could turn him into a monster as horrific as himself. In order to save Dent’s reputation, and preserve the little will the city had left, Batman is forced to kill Dent and then take the blame for all the murders he had committed. Unlike any prior version, the Joker wins. His psyche and desire for anarchy are so strong that not even Batman can stop him. This element is huge, never before had audiences seen a villain truly break Batman down in the way that the Joker does in this film.
Ledger in The Dark Knight
Ledger’s acting is brilliant, he personifies a man whose gruesome figure strikes fear into the hearts of all who see him. Despite the legendary performances of Romero and Nicholson, Ledger has become the new standard for the Joker character. It is often debated as to whether Nicholson or Ledger put on the greatest “Joker” performance. Nicholson, a legendary name of Hollywood who starred in The Shining, stole the show with his performance as the Joker. Yet, he is edged out by Ledger not because of persona but rather his inability to be defeated. Nicholson’s version is dark, but Ledgers takes things to a whole other level. Ledger’s version radiates everything that a clown prince of crime should be, and, he beats the hero. He is a bipolar, sadistic, violent, lunatic who can get under even the toughest persons skin and break them. He does this to Batman, he does this to Harvey Dent, and he even manages to do it to their colleague. Commissioner Jim Gordon. Nicholson’s version may cause chaos and wreak havoc on the city, but, he is eventually ‘figured out’ and defeated. Heath Ledger’s Joker can never be categorized and is not capable of reason, he therefore cannot ever be truly stopped as his effect on Gotham City can never be reversed. This is why his version is the greatest, he brought to life a villain whose affect never goes away.
This interpretation of the Joker by Ledger is so appreciated by the audience because he captures everything that viewers believe such a man would be. Previous versions maintained a “comic book style” look for the Joker. These versions of the character were spectacular, but, none of them possessed any ‘realistic’ elements. Ledger’s Joker feels real, he has a completely different look from any other version and is a true psychopath. He carries his scars with pride and is an expert at turning the world from civilized to chaotic in a matter of days. He translates the chaos of his mind into the psyche of others and manipulates them into becoming the very evil they fight to destroy. He is a villain that keeps you coming back for more. As terrifying as he is fascinating, Ledger’s Joker captivated audiences in a way no other villain ever has. The film is centered around Batman’s fight for justice yet it is not he that made the film what it was. The Joker did, he creates the world in which every other character in the film struggles to understand. He holds all the chips while everyone else is allowed to believe that they are in control.
Ledger’s version of this iconic character is unrivaled, and has therefore become the benchmark for all other interpretations. While the benchmark he set will likely never be surpassed, it remains the standard when a new version of the Joker is released; the character himself is truly as unforgettable as he is disturbing.
Who could ever forget the iconic phrase Ledger coined so well… “Why so serious?”
Sources:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005132/awards
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-best-joker-is-still-cesar-romero-in-the-66-batman-tv-show-hands-down
https://comicbook.com/dc/2016/09/08/5-reasons-why-jack-nicholsons-joker-is-so-iconic/
https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/46854-the-dark-knight-cast-and-director-remember-heath-ledger
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiEjZ6c-OrlAhXhg-AKHRczCQUQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cinemablend.com%2Fnew%2FHeath-Ledger-Joker-Diary-Reveals-Important-Clues-His-Process-76217.html&psig=AOvVaw0eiy-WaGRQv51v5_qZFmXA&ust=1573863395503177
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwj4x97z-OrlAhWtnuAKHcXrAcAQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FD3314-Ledger-Batman-Knight-POSTER%2Fdp%2FB00E6MP8K0&psig=AOvVaw1ic1kI5xwDKUryD8uhZnpp&ust=1573863552851793
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiQi_aP-erlAhXhmuAKHfjyDv4QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Flife%2Fmovies%2F2018%2F07%2F17%2Fhow-dark-knight-heath-ledger-fueled-our-joker-obsession%2F786702002%2F&psig=AOvVaw1ic1kI5xwDKUryD8uhZnpp&ust=1573863552851793
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi7tp_V-erlAhUEhOAKHcaCDsEQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lecturesalternatives.fr%2F2016%2F12%2Fjoker-is-bruce-s-best-friend-the-dark-knight-part-2-3400-words.html&psig=AOvVaw1X22Cx1aLNqGSpXiCQy3ja&ust=1573863763640273
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjGsY6j-urlAhWNct8KHZUxBFoQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbatman.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Joker_(Dozierverse)&psig=AOvVaw0nwiIFVPqr8OpFNDnnCXKh&ust=1573863886666837
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi9p7DG-urlAhXEhOAKHa6yD2sQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsarama.com%2F36090-ranking-the-best-joker-actors-of-all-time.html&psig=AOvVaw0nwiIFVPqr8OpFNDnnCXKh&ust=1573863886666837
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi6iJ-S--rlAhVwmuAKHUMKB38QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanpop.com%2Fclubs%2Fthe-dark-knight%2Fimages%2F9471606%2Ftitle%2Frachel-dawes-photo&psig=AOvVaw1zjtyr9RdMvJfhU_YjzKgs&ust=1573864153111014
This interpretation of the Joker by Ledger is so appreciated by the audience because he captures everything that viewers believe such a man would be. Previous versions maintained a “comic book style” look for the Joker. These versions of the character were spectacular, but, none of them possessed any ‘realistic’ elements. Ledger’s Joker feels real, he has a completely different look from any other version and is a true psychopath. He carries his scars with pride and is an expert at turning the world from civilized to chaotic in a matter of days. He translates the chaos of his mind into the psyche of others and manipulates them into becoming the very evil they fight to destroy. He is a villain that keeps you coming back for more. As terrifying as he is fascinating, Ledger’s Joker captivated audiences in a way no other villain ever has. The film is centered around Batman’s fight for justice yet it is not he that made the film what it was. The Joker did, he creates the world in which every other character in the film struggles to understand. He holds all the chips while everyone else is allowed to believe that they are in control.
Ledger’s version of this iconic character is unrivaled, and has therefore become the benchmark for all other interpretations. While the benchmark he set will likely never be surpassed, it remains the standard when a new version of the Joker is released; the character himself is truly as unforgettable as he is disturbing.
Who could ever forget the iconic phrase Ledger coined so well… “Why so serious?”
Sources:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005132/awards
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-best-joker-is-still-cesar-romero-in-the-66-batman-tv-show-hands-down
https://comicbook.com/dc/2016/09/08/5-reasons-why-jack-nicholsons-joker-is-so-iconic/
https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/46854-the-dark-knight-cast-and-director-remember-heath-ledger
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiEjZ6c-OrlAhXhg-AKHRczCQUQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cinemablend.com%2Fnew%2FHeath-Ledger-Joker-Diary-Reveals-Important-Clues-His-Process-76217.html&psig=AOvVaw0eiy-WaGRQv51v5_qZFmXA&ust=1573863395503177
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwj4x97z-OrlAhWtnuAKHcXrAcAQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FD3314-Ledger-Batman-Knight-POSTER%2Fdp%2FB00E6MP8K0&psig=AOvVaw1ic1kI5xwDKUryD8uhZnpp&ust=1573863552851793
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiQi_aP-erlAhXhmuAKHfjyDv4QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Flife%2Fmovies%2F2018%2F07%2F17%2Fhow-dark-knight-heath-ledger-fueled-our-joker-obsession%2F786702002%2F&psig=AOvVaw1ic1kI5xwDKUryD8uhZnpp&ust=1573863552851793
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi7tp_V-erlAhUEhOAKHcaCDsEQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lecturesalternatives.fr%2F2016%2F12%2Fjoker-is-bruce-s-best-friend-the-dark-knight-part-2-3400-words.html&psig=AOvVaw1X22Cx1aLNqGSpXiCQy3ja&ust=1573863763640273
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjGsY6j-urlAhWNct8KHZUxBFoQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbatman.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Joker_(Dozierverse)&psig=AOvVaw0nwiIFVPqr8OpFNDnnCXKh&ust=1573863886666837
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi9p7DG-urlAhXEhOAKHa6yD2sQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsarama.com%2F36090-ranking-the-best-joker-actors-of-all-time.html&psig=AOvVaw0nwiIFVPqr8OpFNDnnCXKh&ust=1573863886666837
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi6iJ-S--rlAhVwmuAKHUMKB38QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanpop.com%2Fclubs%2Fthe-dark-knight%2Fimages%2F9471606%2Ftitle%2Frachel-dawes-photo&psig=AOvVaw1zjtyr9RdMvJfhU_YjzKgs&ust=1573864153111014
