I thought I would never see anyone come close to the job Ledger did as The Joker in the Dark Knight Rises. But after seeing the movie, Phoenix comes pretty damn close. The background story for Joker is plausible. There are similarities between the two are there, but Phoenix plays the character just enough differently.
shareBoth. Also Nicholson.
shareJack
shareBoth men deliver career defining performances playing the same character really. Let's celebrate both without having to chose one.
I think Phoenix had more material to chew on and to play with then Ledger did to be fair. Damn Phoenix was so awesome showing a man more on edge who falls over, for the first time you actually feel for The Joker. I just can't imagine Phoenix's Joker in any Batman film, he just feels so different and out there. Ledger also fantastic. Both men deliver different but excellent performances. I be shocked if Phoenix doesn't win Best Actor for this, could be the second time I think two different actors win for playing the same character. De Niro and Brando for Vito Corleone.