One very fitting tribute for Heath is that his last movie, Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus, will be completed afterall and all of Heath's scenes will stay in it, where they belong. How this influences the recent suggestion/rumour that Jake Gyllenhaal, Johnny Depp, Sean Penn and Christian Bale would each contribute a scene to the film is anyone's guess. This announcement was made on the Terry Gilliam site, Dreams:
'The producers of The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus have been in touch with Dreams. There has been some misleading information out on the Internet, including at IMDB, suggesting that the film has been shut down. IMDB also removed Dr Parnassus from the list of Heath Ledger's films. It has been a very difficult time on the production, because all involved have been grieving and assessing the future. Since Heath Ledger's death, the producers have kept quiet, but now they have told Dreams that shooting of Dr Parnassus will recommence very soon. More information on how the production will continue without Heath will be released in the next few days. But the producers have revealed that all of Heath's performance will remain in the film.'
An official Dr Parnussus website is being set up and will be running very soon, possibly this weekend.
Many of us have been spending a lot of time over the last two weeks immersing ourselves in Brokeback Mountain. With Valentine's Day on the horizon, Brokeback Mountain is being hailed as a film for lovers. While I may not like the commercialism of 14 February, I do like this renewed association of Brokeback with love and, if you want to settle down on that night with your loved one to watch a romantic movie, then you could do far worse than this one. Admittedly, unsuspecting viewers would be wise to heed the advice of Jake - 'Bring tissues and don't wear mascara'.
ReelzChannel have placed Brokeback as No 2 in their Top 10 list of romantic films: 'When I watched Brokeback Mountain, I thought, ‘What’s all the fuss about? I mean, yeah, sure it’s pretty, but basically this is what good movies should be, not the second coming or anything.’ And then it was days later and this tragic story was still in my head; it had just sunk its teeth into me and years later it still hasn’t let go. That Heath Ledger didn’t get the Oscar for his stunning, restrained performance as Ennis Del Mar, a cowboy who unwittingly finds himself in love with fellow cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) was a crime then and is even more so now in light of his recent death. This movie is heavy, heartbreaking, and beautiful.'
Their top choice is The English Patient, which, when I saw it, completely traumatised me, and not in a good way, giving me nightmares for weeks. If my lover turned up with that as an offering on Valentines Day he'd be out on his ear, chocolates or no chocolates.
The CD and DVD store HMV conducted a survey of its buyers and staff to discover its list of top 50 romantic films. All the old favourites are there - with Romeo and Juliet at No 1 - but Brokeback is there at no 19. There are some fabulous films in this list and I'm pleased to report that The English patient is no higher than No 30. I was in a HMV store today and their video of famous movie kisses was extremely distracting. It obviously did the trick as I walked out of the shop with an album of love songs - right now I'm listening to Roxy Music singing Jealous Guy.
An article by Sarah Riley in Post Crescent assesses what it is that makes certain onscreen romances believable. What makes some onscreen couples fizzle while others fall flat? And singled out as among the best: 'Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger: "Brokeback Mountain" was groundbreaking on so many levels. For many people, it was the first love story where gender didn't really matter because these guys carry the story beyond stereotypes. OK, so this one's not a real "upper" movie either. Sometimes the best love stories aren't. It's one of those movies where you shouldn't really be rooting for the couple to get together because they're married to other people, but Gyllenhaal and Ledger play it so well that you want to watch them ride off into the sunset.'
And I must agree with Sarah's assessment of the Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen (lack of) chemistry in the Star Wars movies.
Includes pictures from Dr Parnassus, News Limited and Pop Sugar.
36 comments:
What a farewell they did for Heath!
I think now the ocean in Perth will always carry a special meaning to me. Does everyone suddenly all want to go and visit Western Australia?
I hope Jake is OK. We have no idea what other arrangement he might have made with the Ledger family, maybe he said goodbye to Heath in private already, maybe he chose to help to look after his goddaughter... I hope people would now leave him and Heath's family alone - finally.
I have this feeling that when Jake is ready, perhaps sometime in the not too far future when the subject of Heath is brought up during an interview, Jake would finally say something and it will reduce us all to a sobbing mess again.
Wonderful post, WDW... you always have the best subject line too :)
Hi Winterbird! What a job they did - absolutely wonderful - pictures to make you laugh and cry at the same time. I hope Jake's OK too - I do believe that he has said goodbye but he clearly wasn't up to doing it in public. It must be so hard for him - and knowing that that interview will come. But I hope he's given all the time he needs. So, as always, sending Jake a big hug (((Jake)))
What a fabulous way to celebrate a fabulous human being. Heath mate, they did you proud. Just so, so lovely.
Also glad to hear they will be continuing with Dr Parnassus, we'll have a bit more of Heath to celebrate :)
Thank you for sequeing (sp?) into love, darlin' WDW - Im playing Abbey Road - and am crazy about that wierd aboriginal instrument -(I googled soundbites) saved me from getting out my bagpipe CDs.
O gosh the services were beautiful - I loved seeing the women holding Michelle, Michelle holding Heath's sister -
the generousity of the family, allowing these pictures - and oh man Kim Ledger is my hero, sure enuf. also michelle.
and excusez moi may I utter a quiet appreciation of Brian Brown who was the first Aussie that made me dizzy in A Town Call'd Alice.
listen' not only to abbey road but to a soundbite of "the kangaroo hop" played on a didgeridoo? ? ?
SO GLAD the terry gilliam movie is going on. as is life nad life everlasting.
love to all for being here. . . ! and those fantastic actors who applauded the setting sun. OMY!
Hi Amy - thanks so much for commenting - A wonderful send off for Heath - that's the way to do it all right :D
And great news about Dr Parnasus too.
I love Abbey Road, Pia. Here Comes the Sun is going to mean even more to me now. (I had a thing for Bryan Brown when I saw him in The Thorn Birds... ;) ) The image of the sun being cheered as it sets is stunning. What a place! And what great people.
As Winterbird said, Western Australia looks pretty good to me!
What a beautiful tribute to Heath. We should all be so lucky to be celebrated that way. Thanks for the lovely pictures WDW.
Hi Bird Girl - Oh yes, this is a wonderful way to be celebrated and loved. No wonder Heath was the man he was :)
Those pics have just set me off again...what a lovely send off though, I bet Heath would've loved it. I'm really worried about Jake though and I hope he's ok (((Jake)))
Thanks for all those Brokeback post WDW:) I love how the movie has continued to gain praise and recognition over the last two years and how more people are discovering it every day. Did anyone mention the Oscars...?;)
TL - Those pictures make me cry and laugh at the same time. I feel so much better for seeing Michelle like that. But yes I'm really worried about Jake too - it's not a good feeling. (((Jake)))
It's possible that Heath's death may introduce many more people to Brokeback. Oh those Oscars - two years ago. Just remember that agony and yet that was nothing to what is felt today. Brokeback demonstrates constantly that it's timeless (unliking other films I might mention - like Crash, for example). Good to see you TL xx
I must admit that I am worried about him too. I am sure that the people in his life are taking good care of him.
BBM will be around forever. It is timeless.
Grrrrr... don't even get me started on Crash.
Hi Bird Girl - I've never even seen Crash! Nor do I have a desire to. It just shows that awards aren't the be all and end all. Because so many people celebrate Brokeback as a film that changed lives and attitudes - Crash was a film that spoke to a moment - not to generations.
What a lovely tribute to Heath. I am sure he was with them and smiling and enjoying the water with them. That was the best sendoff they could have given him. So glad they had a support system for Michelle and the rest of Heath's family.
I am thinking of Jake too and wish he is being supported wherever he is. (((Jake))) He needs support and understanding right now, not accusations and gossip.
While the weather seemed beautiful in Perth, it is cloudy and rainy here today. Having a rough one. :/
Take care all
I hope people are taking care of Jake too, BG. I hope that so much.
It's doing me so much good to read the comments tonight - thank you!!
Get Real, I hope more than anything that Jake is getting all the support he needs. Now Heath is laid to rest I'm worrying more about Jake.
Sorry about your weather, get Real - it's been stunningly beautiful here - the first day of Spring. I went for a long walk to think.
I know what you mean about Michelle,WDW. Those pics are so wonderfully life-affirming and hopeful and I'm so grateful to Michelle and Heath's family that they allowed us to share the day with them. I just hope Jake can find strength and hope too somehow(((Jake)))
(((Get Real))) Sorry to hear you're having a rough time atm. WE're all here for you xx
Hi TL - I'm so glad the Ledger faily shared thse pictures with us - they're amazing and have helped so much.
As you say TL, but so much better than me, we're here for you, Get Real xx
Thanks so much TL and WDW. Hugs to you both. Please know I am here for you too. We need each other now.
Glad the weather was nice for you in the UK. Sadly it was supposed to be cold but sunny. Now we won't have that till Monday. I could use the sun about now.
I agree it was so nice to see Michelle smiling. I am sure that was one of the first smiles she has had since this all happened. I am grateful the family allowed us to see those life affirming pictures.
WDW I am really worried about Jake now too. I know Brothers was supposed to continue filming into this week. So who knows if Jake is in NM now.
Hey Get Real! If you're right and Jake is working that might be the best thing for him right now. Of course only he knows that, but some people do find that maintaining a sense of normality is what gets them through times like these. As long as he does get through it, that's all that matters. I hope he knows how much we love and care and support him. (((Jake)))
(((Get Real))) I hope you get that sun soon. I'm so glad these photos wre released too as they're just wonderful and did me so much good. This week is quite possibly the last week of filming for Brothers and so that may be quite a distraction for Jake at this hard time. But I am worried about him.
Hi TL - I hope he knows that too.
Thanks WDW for keeping us updated.
I read that shooting for Brothers started again sometime last week, that's probably the reason he couldn't attend the memorial and funeral.
Hi Anon - thanks for commenting. I think Jake was definitely scheduled for filming this week. I just hope he's OK wherever he is.
G'night friends :)
Yes TL, we are here for (((eachother)))
Like you, I cannot help feeling for Jake and what thoughts might run through his head.
If I try to envisage what he his thinking it is like this. Well, please forbear with me, but as somebody used has as a job to try to understand what other humans are thinking, it comes to me by itself. If you are afraid of going further stop here.
But theese are my thoughts and associations when trying to place myself in Jake's present situation
His whole future, as of now, is standing at a crossroad. On the one hand...
Now let me gÃve you a background. Perhaps you will follow me easier.
My great-grandfather lived in the province of Vaestergötland, "West Gothland" where the family roots are. His best friend had married a girl from southern Scandinavia. She was from Copenhagen, but the family roots were in Scane, a Swedish province opposite the Danish capital.
They had two boys, but soon after the birth of the second one his friend died, leaving her bewidowed, without any other position in life than being a mother.
My great grand-father was unmarried. He had recently, after his university studies, returned from a very long tour around Europe, finished with a course in agriculture, in Scotland I believe, and was the heir of a big farm, which had been in the family for some generations.
He then married his best friend's widow. With her he got one daughter and then anotherome and then another again. And then she had twins, one daughter and one son, my future grand-father.
At the time of the last birth she was rather old, as seen by contemporaries, about 35 years old.
They had to leave the farm for some reason, and they moved to the university town of Uppsala where my grandfather had studied and had many friends in high places. He almost immeately became the financial director of the university, the biggest employer in this county capital and seat of the country's archbishop.
But luck did not follow position. The wife was very weak all the time and too soon she died.
One can ask oneself why my great-grandfather carried on making her pregnant as she was rather old. The reason must have been the usual in those days; he wanted a male heir, to carry on the Swedish branch of The Family.
There were no other Gyllenhaals in Sweden with possibilities to carry on. The other only one, a very distant cousin, at the time had emigratated to the USA.
Where Anders Leonard got eight children, seven survived him. Now there are several male Gyllenhaals in the US branch, Jake is one of them.
And Jake has now two families to take care of. Perhaps that is in today's world the wrong expression; he is emotionally involved the the life of two families, not to mention his own.
That of Reese, with whom he is very evidently in love, and that of Michelle, whose daughter is his godchild.
As godfather I believe he feels an urge to look after her and her mother, as it was his on screen-love affair who brought together her and the man who became one of his very best friends, perhaps the best.
This I believe is his problem. I feel for him so deeply; he is surrounded by children as his dear sister also has got one.
He must certainly want to have a child of his own. But how? The one prospective mother, Reese, is recently divorced and not inclined for more binding attachment for quite some time, and the same might also be the case for the now widowed Michelle.
Give him your kindest thoughts, he needs them!
Herman
Wow, that was a realy interesting post Herman:) I suppose it's only natural that what happened to Heath might make Jake take stock of his own life but he needs to go through the grieving process first and I just hope he's coping with that. He always has my support, but he has it more than ever atm.(((Jake)))
Im not at all surprised that Jake has kept a low profile in this time, all things considered. I thought it appropriate.
Sleep warm and safe tonight esp us in northeast USA with snow coming.
Thanks (evrypeeps) for sweet company in this time.
"Brothers" wraps tomorrow.
http://www.losalamosnm.us/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={E2383F39-DD36-4B5A-989C-3D677CC73A43}&DE={F878B67B-D2CE-4042-B5BA-B225D8215274}
I mean today:)
I also have a feeling something is going on with Jacob. And it's not a good feeling.
If the following sighting is reliable, it looks like Jake was in NM filming last week.
From IMDB:
"This past thursday I saw Jake in the bar where I work which is across the street froma home where they were shooting some scenes. God is he gorgeous!! He was in there with the director and some of the crew drinking"
IMO Jake is keeping a low profile at the moment, he is (was) working and I am sure is doing fine (under these circumstances).
Morning everyone - another beautiful day - gorgeous out there. I should get out there and play.
Thanks Herman for the interesting comment. One thing's for sure, lives can be complicated.
Hi TL and Pia - I hope you both had a good night. More snow on the way for the east?
Thanks anon(s) for the info on Brothers. I remember reading the film schedule a couple of weeks ago and it suggested that Jake was filming at an ice rink in Los Alamos in the earlier part of last week.
Hi 10:03 - I hope that sighting of Jake in the bar is true - good to know Jake's out and about being busy and just getting on with it.
Have a good day everyone :)
Thank you WDW for all the pics and info on Heath's funeral. What a beautiful way to end the day, with joy and celebration of his life mixed in with the tears. How wonderful that Heath's family was surrounded by so much love.
Jake is always on my mind, hoping he's OK. I liked LJF's idea that maybe he was looking after Matilda during the funeral. I hadn't thought of that, but it reminded me of Jake's comment once - he was talking about Ramona and he said "I get her when she cries". :)
Thanks also to Xenia and Sonia for translating the Italian Vanity Fair article. I loved his comment about how Ennis and Jack did not know each other and slowly fell in love and, in the same way, that he and Heath also did not know each other and became friends during filming.
It has been a rough few weeks and this weather isn't helping. Right now the temperature is -17 F with a windchill of -46. I will be saving those beach pictures for sure.
Hugs to everyone. :)
Hi Neely - wrap up in that cold. Good to hear from you.
WDW
What a wonderful farewell to Heath.
Your comment about BBM being a movie people should watch on Valentine's day is right on.
I love BBM and I think that Heath did get cheated on not winning the oscar for best actor. As well as the movie got jibbed on not winning best picture.
just shows how blind the academy is.
But we know what a special movie BBM is and always will be.
I also think that Heath might get some oscar recognition for his performance as the Joker.
It would be nice if Brothers gets a nod from them too
Trekfan
and I also figured they would find a way to finish Imaginarium, it would be a shame for all the hard work Heath did on that movie to go to waste.
It is going to be hard to watch it knowing it is truly Heath's last movie
Trekfan
"some people do find that maintaining a sense of normality is what gets them through times like these" [Twisted Logic]
I have a feeling that Jake is one of those people. Plus, he is a responsible man who would feel torn between his desire to attend ceremonies for Heath, and his obligation to finish filming "Brothers." If he was in New Mexico filming last Thursday, then he probably was not able to be in Australia in time for Heath's funeral. Plus, he may not have felt up to it.
I'm coming late to this post,WDW,emerging as I am from a weekend from hell in my own life (don't even ask!) but it truly is a beautiful post and despite moving me to tears the pictures of Heath's wake,with all the guests celebrating his life in the waves,holding each other up and cheering and applauding the sunset have lifted my up a little.
I am amazed that they managed to find the motivation and the joy after the trauma of the memorial service. Although a wake to drink to the departed and to party a little,toasting the future as well as the past,is traditional in some cultures,particularly Celts like the Irish and the Scots, I'm afraid I have often ducked out of such functions because I can't deal with partying after a funeral,just need to go away and lick my wounds on my own.
Maybe work commitments did keep Jake away from the funeral,maybe he just didn't have the emotionaly strength to face attending - and I for one would be the first to understand and support him if he just felt unable to bear it. I'm sure he has said his private goodbyes to Heath in his own way. I just hope he's being held up by the people he loves and who love him and that,with time,he'll learn to live with Heath's passing.
Big hugs to (((Jake))) and (((Get Real))) and anyone else who's having struggles and pain in life at the moment xxxx
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