now I call that SHOWMANSHIP, Lieutenant!

[thehefner]

An observation on Heath Ledger's Joker.

Some people seem to think he's channeling Jack Nicholson, perhaps with bits of Mark Hamill thrown in (I'm a firm believer that Hamill's vocal performance is the greatest depiction of the Joker to date, whereas Jack Nicholson was dazzling to watch, but just as Jack, not the Joker). I disagree. I mean, perhaps subconsciously Ledger is, and to those who don't know any better, that's what they'll see. But I don't think he's channeling Jack.

He's channeling Brad Dourif.

Who? I hear many of you ask. In that way that I can hear your thoughts via the internet. I have that power, you know. Let me tick off four roles, with the certainty that you're familiar with at least one.

Billy Bibbit (the stuttering suicidal kid) from ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST

Chucky from the CHILD'S PLAY movies

Grima Wormtongue from LORD OF THE RINGS

Doc Cochran from DEADWOOD

I've heard it said that Brian Bolland, artist of the legendary* story "The Killing Joke," based his trend-setting depiction of the Joker, forever changing how the Joker is generally depicted, on Brad Dourif. I cannot find any solid proof to back up this rumor, but if it's untrue, it's easy to see why.

Here. Watch this.

This is one of my single favorite performances, ever. Just speaking personally, here, not objectively.

That's from EXORCIST III, a film that would have been superior to the original if it hadn't been raped by studio-mandated reshoots and horrid edits. I'd post more, but hey, I know only about three or four people watch videos I post anyway. And besides, if you haven't already seen EXORICIST III, do.

So that's what I see when I see Heath as the Joker, whether Heath is doing it intentionally or not. And frankly... that just might be exactly what this movie needs.

Cannot wait for July. Cannot wait.



*Legendary, yes, but increasingly problematic. Much as I love this story, The Killing Joke does have its flaws as time passes. If this could just be declared out of continuity, for one thing, we wouldn't have some of those problems, but alas.

Comments

[mirthical.livejournal.com]

it's the calm composure when he's talking about something inhuman and dreadful that makes it TERRIFYING.

Jack is almost never about the calm composure - he's about the explosive energy, the totally manic.

so excited.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Have you watched this clip, to boot? I imagine you're at work.

Trust me, my dear, dear Bloo. Watch this.

[mirthical.livejournal.com]

I started watching it and got about halfway through before somebody walked by. (I'm on my lunch break, so go me!)

But yes, the composure is what makes it all the more horrific.

and, dare I say, glorious? Even Nerve.com is getting excited about Heath Ledger's Joker.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you see what I mean, right? Ten, fifteen years ago, Brad would have been the absolute ideal Joker, particularly for this take. So seeing them go in this direction, and finally wrapping my brain over this direction rather than, say, the Hamill direction (my ultimate Joker) has taken a while, but remembering Brad's performance in EXORCIST III... yeah. Yeah, I'm on board, totally.

Still, I do kinda question Nerve's use of "Catskills schtick." Joker's a showman, guys. You looking for another word there?

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

Yes. Yes. I've been watching the trailer (so awesome!) trying to put my finger on what it is about Ledger's Joker thus far that seems familiar and as soon as I read that name it all clicked into place. So, thanks for that.

Also, have you seen this new poster yet? Wonderfully creepy.

(Funnily enough I actually have seen Exorcist III, even though I hadn't seen the other two. Popped up on television one year around Halloween time, IIRC.)

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Ooo, that's the clearest version of that poster I've seen yet! Thankya!

[swimpenguin.livejournal.com]

I heard somewhere that Heath Ledger was supposedly given The Killing Joke to read as inspiration, and maybe ironically or not, Alan Moore doesn't really like the comic anymore. I think I'll definitely have to check out Exorcist III, Brad Dourif and George C. Scott,even if badly edited, has to be pretty damn good.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Nolan said, I believe, that they're drawing inspiration for this Joker from "Killing Joke" and the first two original Bob Kane/Bill Finger appearances. Hell, back then, the Joker hardly made jokes at all.

As do, do check out EXORCIST III! I think the real footage for any director's cut is lost forever, so enjoy it for the butchered masterpiece it is. And be prepared... it's slow in places. But try not to get distracted. Just trust me.

[kmousie.livejournal.com]

He's channeling Brad Dourif.

You're so right!

[civilbloodshed.livejournal.com]

I hope to God he is, because GOOD LORD. That is...that stirred something in my soul.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

God, I know, right? Have you seen EXORCIST III, by chance?

[lairdofdarkness.livejournal.com]

I really liked Exorcist 111. Yes its is messed up at times but you can tell there is a great story in there desperate to get out.
I hadnt picked up on Brad D connection...I think you are right, It eill be interesting to see the performance throughout the movie.
Actually I thought you were referring to the guy from Blade and Alone in the Dark (Stephen Dorff I thin k...actors names confuse me!) and I was confused.
As for Killing Joke, I read it again last night and I still think its one of the Best Bat stories ever. Personally it should never have been in continuity, but then again Babs has become a much more interesting character because of it (to me anyway. I am one of those people that thinks there shouldn't be female versions of popular superheroes. It's lazy writing. Make them interesting in their own right.)

Aint watched the clip yet but I think I know which bit you have picked.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

No, I totally understand the Stephen Dorff confusion. When I discovered Andrew Divoff of WISHMASTER fame, well, needless to say I was thoroughly confused.

I still love "Killing Joke" too, but I do think that essay I liked to up above made some legit points, and more and more I do with it'd be out of continuity. It's hard to come back to status quo after that, you know? And Batman comics have been struggling for about twenty years trying to come back.

Frankly, I wish more stories were out of continuity, like NEW FRONTIER. There's so much more freedom that way.

[zhinxy.livejournal.com]

OH, exactly! That's who I was trying to think of!

And I can't wait for July either. I mean, I have my reservations - I ALWAYS have my reservations - But after Begins, I just... TRUST Nolan. A lot.

Thanks for the linkage, too.

That's how I feel, myself, that if it were just out of continuity, (as it was, I believe SUPPOSED to be in the first place!) I could really enjoy it as sort of a meditation on the characters, rather than something that's supposed to have happened. Because, honestly, I really DO think it's good... Just not the shiny moment of pure Joker glory that so many people seem to want to believe it is.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

It's my pleasure. Is there a way I can somehow link to your blog via my LJ f-list? Between that and your excellent summation of Grant Morrison's prose Joker issue, I simply think I should be reading it more often.

Yeah agreed. Then again, compared to "BUNNY!"... I just don't know. Seriously, though, I like my characters to have humanity. Even the inhuman terrifying ones. If that makes any sense.

[lovedatjoker.livejournal.com]

Big Dourif fan here so had to click on any tag named him... holy wow... Bolland may have based his Joker on Brad? That's FANTASTIC... where did you hear that?

And you're right, Heath may well have been channeling him on some level... there's definitely NO Nicholson in there that I've been able to see. Personally, I'm anticipating TDK with every nerve cluster tingling. And yeah, Hammill's done the best Joker so far, at least voice wise. Though I am also fond of the fellow who did it for the radio version of Knightfall.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Howdy!

I heard it from a friend. It may not be true, and in fact, I've since found no evidence to support it. But shit, even if it's not true, don't you think it should be?

I find it interesting to hear you say you don't find any Nicholson in Ledger's performance, as others definitely claim to. I might too, if I weren't so "DOURIF DOURIF FOURIF" all the time.

[lovedatjoker.livejournal.com]

Ah, that's one of my favourite Joker pix eva...

Nope, no Nicholson. I just don't see it at all.

Nicholson's performance... it was great but... it just wasn't the Joker. And even though they're obviously doing a very different type of Joker for this film... it FEELS more like Joker to me.

Nicholson... hehe... at times I see a short, fat Graham Nolan version of Joker (looks wise that is). There was too much Nicholson in the performance though.

And yes, it should be. But Dourif has always been one of the best under-appreciated actors ever, so compelling, so magnetic.

If I wasn't so dedicated to the 6'5" Joker, Dourif would be... guh... but he's a shortie.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, while Ledger's not the classic Joker of the comics (as Hammill captures so beautifully) but in his strange way, he seems to capture he spirit of the Joker. And that's what's far more important.

Nolan... I dunno, I'd say more a fatter Marshall Rogers "Laughing Fish" Joker. But I see what you mean as well.

God, can you imagine? DARK KNIGHT RETURNS with Dourif Joker? I shudder from the awesomeness. Camera techniques can make do with the shortness!

[lovedatjoker.livejournal.com]

Yep, the spirit, that's it exactly... he's captured that. And that's why I'm unbelievably excited and can't wait to see him in it.

Dourif Joker... stop... I will implode from awesomeness. *drools*

Yeah I can see Rogers' Joker as well in Nicholson.