A Definitive Performance by Heath Ledger
As the knife-wielding psychopath, The Joker, Heath Ledger's performance goes beyond memorable to something unforgettable, a definitive performance by an actor we hardly got to know. This is not a retread of Jack Nicholson?s dark comedic portrayal of the green haired adversary but, rather, a peep show into the brilliantly deranged mind of evil. The mirthless grin, lipstick smeared across his chops like some drunken old bar fly, the Joker constantly licking his scarred cheeks only adds to this deadly serious portrayal of Batman?s arch nemesis. Aaron Eckhart plays Harvey Dent and the hideously deformed Two-Face with excellence. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a pleasing substitution for Katie Holmes as assistant D.A. Rachel Dawes. Christian Bale is, once again, the darkly conflicted hero and his fire in the role erases all memory of anyone who has ever played the part before him. This movie is worth seeing more than once. And I will - as soon as the nightmares stop.