Robert Downey Jr and Heath Ledger

I watched a movie called Chances Are, when I was 16. That was the first movie I watched in Singapore - watching a movie without seeking permission from my parents, splurging $5 (times 9 to convert into Indian Rupees then) on this luxury, made this movie a momentous one for me. I think it was February, when love was in the air. Or maybe I am mistaken - but my enduring recollection of the movie is totally losing my heart to Robert Downey Jr. He of the chocolate eyes and somewhat kooky disposition.



Earlier this year, when the Oscars and the Globes and the SAGs waxed eloquent in their tributes to Heath Ledger - I could not help bristle a little at the outpouring of grief and the eulogies of a "life cut short cruelly". When Downey Jr was arrested (was he also jailed? cannot recall) for his drug use, he lost his much critically appreciated role in Ally Mcbeal (that a role in that series was critically acclaimed, says much about the actor!!). He was also if I recall, shunned by the film fraternity.



Yet, how was Heath Ledger any different? Maybe he did not have a chequered history with drugs, at least not one that was overtly publicised (post mortem there were revelations of drug use). Maybe playing Joker had splintered something within himself - and resulted in pushing the limits. Whatever. But fact of the matter is that he died of a drug overdose. Hundreds, if not thousands suffer the same fate around the world - nursing, also as each one would claim, some real or imaginary wounds to their soul. Heath Ledger is just one of these numbers, who died of the inability to control himself. While I sympathise with the family for the loss - it is no greater than the loss suffered by the thousands who lose their battle with drugs. There is no reason to glorify his death.



I applauded his performance as Joker. It was magnificent and disturbing. But, I was not one of the standing ovation his award received. I will reserve that for Robert Downey Jr - who has struggled with drug use, sought repeatedly to overcome it, seems to have returned from a career death to essay more enigmatic roles. Who will, I hope, give strength to the many to attempt to return from the edge; not to fall over the edge. Yes those chocolate brown eyes may have something to do with this bias. But I feel sometimes we tend to ignore the mundane, the gritty and patently un-sexy reality.