The Dark Knight

[ActingWild]

I liked Gylenhall in the role. And, while she's not perfect-pretty, I think she's pretty enough.

I suppose the only person that ever called her beautiful in the movie was the Joker, and his perspective is obviously a little twisted...

Still, I think the part needed someone a little easier on the eyes (but that's just my and my family's opinion). It looks like no one else here thought it was miscast, so we must be in the minority.

Regardless, we all loved the movie and think Ledger gave an Oscar worthy performance. Like so many greats, he went out at the top of his game (and perhaps anyone else's this year).

 

[Pariah]

Still, I think the part needed someone a little easier on the eyes (but that's just my and my family's opinion).

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I don't think she's hard on the eyes. I think she's pretty...again, not "perfect-pretty," but pretty.

 

[nashman]

Not pretty at all, but the role was played well. I kinda agree than it could have been played just as well by a Scarlett, or Mandy Moore and would have been a little more beleivable. Its hard to beleive that with all the supermodels Bruce dates his heart would belong to an unattractive woman like Gyllenhal. But whatever the movie was freakin fantastic best of the year for me by far!

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

Its hard to beleive that with all the supermodels Bruce dates his heart would belong to an unattractive woman like Gyllenhal.

Not to sound like a smart-ass, but I think that's the whole point of the casting.

This movie is simply amazing. I need to see it again, just so I can get past the "awe" factor and actually discuss the film.

ps: I agree with Chap that "Crash" was one of the most undeserving films to receive the Best Picture Oscar. "Crash" was one of the most overrated films of all-time in my book. But that's another story for another thread.

 

[Stout]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I don't think she's hard on the eyes. I think she's pretty...again, not "perfect-pretty," but pretty.

Agreed. She is an attractive girl. Not supermodel attractive, but so what? I thought she was fine in the part, and didn't for a moment wish they had gotten another actress.

 

[Chaz]

This movie is simply amazing. I need to see it again, just so I can get past the "awe" factor and actually discuss the film.

Ditto that.

I was very excited to see this movie for the past year and I wasn't disappointed.



As for the casting of Gyllenhal I don't understand what everyone is talking about. She has to be believable as an assistant DA and I think someone who has supermodel good looks is less so.
I think Gyllenhal is more suited to the role and more believable than Holmes was in the last film.
I find the notion that Bruce Wayne couldn't love anyone that didn't measure up to the supermodels he dates laughable. His character just isn't that shallow. The supermodels are accessories to him while Rachel Dawes is his oldest friend and confidant.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

agreed - the fact that wayne has know this girl his whole life, they have been through trials and tribulations and she does something which he admires means more to him than the candy he totes around .......... a lot of which is used to keep up an image

 

[Pariah]

.. a lot of which is used to keep up an image

I think it's 100% image/alter-ego development.

 

[ActingWild]

Ditto that.

I was very excited to see this movie for the past year and I wasn't disappointed.



As for the casting of Gyllenhal I don't understand what everyone is talking about. She has to be believable as an assistant DA and I think someone who has supermodel good looks is less so.

Which is exactly why I didn't mention Biel, Alba, Jolie, Fox, etc. They're too pretty. But Rachel Dawes is called beautiful, and it's not just Bruce that thinks she's so because of their past. Harvey Dent and the Joker think it as well.

The only thing I can come up with is that she has the same type of eyes and cheeks as Katie Holmes, so maybe they were trying to get someone that looked as close to her as possible while being a good actress.

Other than that, there's too many talented and pretty while not being super-model gorgeous actresses out there, with name recognition. (hence my list of possible candidates).

 

[Shane]

Just got back. Liked it a lot! I dont consider a top 10 movie at all. But it was VERY enjoyable and I could totally see an Oscar for Ledger whos joker was in every way the best Batman villain out of every movie they have made so far. It isnt even close.

 

[nashman]

Agreed Shane best Joker/Villian in ANY Batman movie ever imho. Ledger seemed to embrace and become the character it was hard to tell it was even him. The voice, the look, the craziness were all just so well done. I wasn't really a Ledger fan but this film made me realize he was a damn fine actor, more that I gave him credit for in some of his other movies.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

DID anyone else notice that Senator Patrick Lahey got punked by the Joker at Bruce Wayne's Party for Harvey Dent?

 

[Chaplin]

Not pretty at all, but the role was played well. I kinda agree than it could have been played just as well by a Scarlett, or Mandy Moore and would have been a little more beleivable. Its hard to beleive that with all the supermodels Bruce dates his heart would belong to an unattractive woman like Gyllenhal. But whatever the movie was freakin fantastic best of the year for me by far!

Mandy Moore? Seriously?

What would make them more believable? That Christian Bale would pine for them more? Come on now.

 

[Mulli]

Spoilers people!!

I can't resist reading this thread!

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

Spoilers people!!

I can't resist reading this thread!

Spoiler

What hasn't been spoilered?

 

[Pariah]

Spoilers people!!

I can't resist reading this thread!

Spoiler

oh, are you one of the eight people on the planet that hasn't seen it yet? Sorry.

 

[Chaz]

Which is exactly why I didn't mention Biel, Alba, Jolie, Fox, etc. They're too pretty. But Rachel Dawes is called beautiful, and it's not just Bruce that thinks she's so because of their past. Harvey Dent and the Joker think it as well.

The only thing I can come up with is that she has the same type of eyes and cheeks as Katie Holmes, so maybe they were trying to get someone that looked as close to her as possible while being a good actress.

Other than that, there's too many talented and pretty while not being super-model gorgeous actresses out there, with name recognition. (hence my list of possible candidates).

Sorry, I am not impressed with your list and I don't see what is wrong with Maggie Gyllenhaal. I was not disappointed with her looks, charisma, or performance in the slightest.

 

[Pariah]

Sorry, I am not impressed with your list and I don't see what is wrong with Maggie Gyllenhaal. I was not disappointed with her looks, charisma, or performance in the slightest.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Agreed Shane best Joker/Villian in ANY Batman movie ever imho. Ledger seemed to embrace and become the character it was hard to tell it was even him. The voice, the look, the craziness were all just so well done. I wasn't really a Ledger fan but this film made me realize he was a damn fine actor, more that I gave him credit for in some of his other movies.

When the movie was over everyone in the theater applauded. Ledger was awesome. It kind of hit me when the movie was over that this was it for Ledger. I felt sad walking out of the theater and thinking about how Ledger had so much going for him and now he was gone.

 

[Pariah]

I felt sad walking out of the theater and thinking about how Ledger had so much going for him and now he was gone.

Yup, this would have put his already successful career over the top. He would have had almost any role he wanted, IMO. It's a real shame. RIP.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

When the movie was over everyone in the theater applauded. Ledger was awesome. It kind of hit me when the movie was over that this was it for Ledger. I felt sad walking out of the theater and thinking about how Ledger had so much going for him and now he was gone.

Yup, this would have put his already successful career over the top. He would have had almost any role he wanted, IMO. It's a real shame. RIP.

My son was telling me that the depression that Heath suffered from, that led to his suicide, was hastened by this role. I guess he got a little too immersed in the character.

 

[Pariah]

My son was telling me that the depression that Heath suffered from, that led to his suicide, was hastened by this role. I guess he got a little too immersed in the character.

Yup. I guess when Nicholson got word of his death he said "I warned him." (heard that on NPR)

In fact, here's a great look at the Joker as a character from NPR's "In Character" (I forget if the Nicholson thing is in this one or something different...):

NPR Story

 

[Djaughe]

Spoilers people!!

I can't resist reading this thread!

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Covert Rain]

My son was telling me that the depression that Heath suffered from, that led to his suicide, was hastened by this role. I guess he got a little too immersed in the character.

I don't believe it. I saw an interview with Gary Oldman and another with Christian Bale where they said he was always in a great mood between takes, joking around with the cast and when hanging out after filming was always in good spirits.

Doesn't sound like to me its directly related to this film. It could be just his work habits in general could have taken a toll over time. By the way this wasn't a suicide. It was an accidental overdose. They think that he took more then the prescribed amount probably because the normal dosage was not working for him. He had a severe case of insomnia for months.

According to the coroners report he had two strong painkillers, two anti-anxiety medicines and two sleeping aids in his system. Taking anti-anxiety medication with sleep aids is not unheard of if the anxiety is causing his insomnia.

Yup. I guess when Nicholson got word of his death he said "I warned him." (heard that on NPR)
NPR Story

That was regarding the prescription medication he was taking. It's hard though to listen to one person's experience with it and just assume that will be your reaction. Do you follow your doctors advise or Jacks?

 

[Pariah]

I don't believe it. ...

According to the coroners report he had two strong painkillers, two anti-anxiety medicines and two sleeping aids in his system. Taking anti-anxiety medication with sleep aids is not unheard of if the anxiety is causing his insomnia.

Reports I've seen/heard say he had trouble sleeping and was anxious because of the role. I don't have an opinion on it, I'm just telling you what was reported.

Edit: I found the quote: "the actor said playing the role of a 'murderous psychopath' had left him 'sleepless and exhausted.'"

That was regarding the prescription medication he was taking. It's hard though to listen to one person's experience with it and just assume that will be your reaction. Do you follow your doctors advise or Jacks?

I don't understand the question. Why would I take Jack Nicholson's advice about my health?