Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight (2008).

Louise on Heath Ledger as The Joker

– by Shawn Conner

Friend of the Snipe Louise P. has always had a unique take on pop culture. Here are her thoughts, in a recent phone conversation, on the movie The Dark Knight (which she refers to here as “Batman”):

Louise P: But I like Batman. Didn’t you get that picture I sent of the Joker?

I was supposed to send you another email after that but then I forgot. Cos you didn’t like Batman* and I was going to say something about that. How could you not like it? I’ve seen it four times. I love it! I had the DVD right away when it came out. I saw it three times in the theatre. I’ve never seen a movie three times in the theatre. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie twice in the theatre. [Pause] You know why I liked it.

SC: Heath Ledger?

Louise: [obvious tone] Yeah. I LOVE him! And ’til he died I didn’t even know who he was. I never even knew what he looked like. I knew nothing about him, now I can’t believe it.

SC: Have you gone back to watch Brokeback Mountain?

Louise: No I won’t watch that. It’s too sad. I just watch the Joker. I just want to see the Joker. I love the Joker. I wanted the Joker to kill Batman. I just wait for his parts. They’re so amazing. All the subtle things he says. You only get it… the first time… but if you watch it a few more times you’ll catch even more and more subtleties. His little funny things. He says a lot. A LOT. Phhhht. I’m in his [Ledger’s] fan club.

SC: Literally?

Louise: Well, on Facebook. I bought the Joker calendar.

*I didn’t like The Dark Knight, it’s true.