The tagline of Buitenhuis and Murray's biopic I Am Heath Ledger is a quote from the alluring actor himself: "Don't Be Afraid To Fall." Yet, as those closest to Ledger come together in this biographical ode, we realise that the televised special tracks the actor from his time as a teenager in Perth, all the way to that fateful day in 2008 when the star did, in fact, fall. Following footage from Ledger's personal archives, musician Ben Harper exclaims adamantly in the documentary's introduction, "I'm not supposed to be talking about this with you. This is not something that is supposed to be happening right now." It's obvious that the musician is still mourning his friend's death nine years on but he doesn't dwell on it as much as he celebrates Heath Ledger's larger than life tendencies. "Some people are just bigger than the world has room for."
Ledger's parents Kim Ledger and Sally Bell appear alongside Harper in discussion of their son's life, as well as his three sisters, Kate, Ashleigh and Olivia. A profusion of other people bring their love for the man to this special, including Ledger's agent Steve Alexander, fellow Aussie and former partner Naomi Watts, Lords of Dogtown co-star Emile Hirsch, filmmaker Matt Amato and several childhood friends - Trevor DiCarlo, Kane Manera and N'Fa Forster-Jones - all of whom have their own anecdotes and individual memories of the beloved actor. Most, if not all, of these people commend Ledger's generosity and distinctiveness, and his dexterity in living every moment to the fullest.
The one hour-long documentary is equal parts interviews with the actor's family and friends, behind the scenes footage from film sets, photographs, voice-over recordings of Ledger's past interviews and personal footage of the world as Ledger saw it through his own camera lens. What some people may not be aware of was Heath's deep passion for directing and the soaring aspirations he had to not only be in front of the camera as an actor, but behind it as a director. Australian model Christina Cauchi, who Ledger dated on and off from 2000 through 2002, recalls his endless fascination with cameras, whether they be film, polaroid or video, and his ability to capture the beauty in every moment, exposing people as their "most authentic selves" with just the click of a button or the wind of a lever. Ledger's friends also draw on their experiences with his directorial alter-ego, who Harper describes as a "one man force of nature". Even his agent-turned-friend has tales of Ledger on the set of The Dark Knight (2008), with him trailing director Christopher Nolan with hopes of picking up any and every skill he could.
It's almost nostalgic to watch a chronological recount of some of Heath Ledger's biggest films. Audiences are given insight into what people observed of Ledger during the times surrounding filming of works such as his first hit 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), through to The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, the final film he worked on. Also discussed is the extreme pressure Ledger felt in response to the fame he was gaining from A Knight's Tale (2001), with his friends stating there were moments in time when Heath felt as though he belonged to Hollywood and was owned by the fame that came with his success.
Aside from his anxieties, Ledger welcomed the film industry and acting with open arms, embodying each and every one of his characters to the extent where some wondered where the characters ended and Heath started. Lords of Dogtown (2003) alumni, Hirsch and Catherine Hardwicke, director, speak highly of Ledger's ability and determination to immerse himself in his work and his roles. Forster-Jones shouts similar praises of his friend during the time in which he won the role of The Dark Knight villain, The Joker.
Though his co-star and real-life partner Michelle Williams did not participate in I Am Heath Ledger, she is largely held in high acclaim in regards to her and Ledger’s love affair following the making of Brokeback Mountain (2005) and the way in which they parented their daughter, Matilda. She was only two years old at the time of her father's death. It's also suggested that the couple's break-up was the turning point which ultimately lead to his undoing - the only part of his life that was not articulately planned out and controlled by Ledger.
I Am Heath Ledger is a diversified documentary by others combined with a sort of twisted self-portrait from beyond the grave by Ledger himself, thanks to the excessive amounts of personally-shot footage offered in the biopic. The documentary doesn't use Heath's death to drive the event and doesn't obsess over the intricate details of it all, which might just be why this TV special is so morbidly pleasant to watch. Instead, friends and family of the revolutionary actor highlight his strengths and playful persona in a way that isn't a sad eulogy but a celebration of the life of one of Hollywood's brightest stars.
Rating: ★★★★
Directors: Adrian Buitenhuis, Derik Murray
Writers: Hart Snider
Watch the trailer here