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Death is the road to awe
Film loses two of its masters
By Marty Sliva
While Scofield had decades to bestow his gift on the world, Minghella was just reaching his stride as an artist.
People die. There’s no changing that.
The first quarter of 2008 has held witness to a startling amount of deaths in the film industry. Some of them went unheralded, such as Brad Renfro, who had built an incredibly solid lineup of roles over the past decade. Others were of names associated with other mediums, such as “2001: A Space Odyssey” author, Arthur C. Clarke.
Still others garnered a vast majority of the attention. When Heath Ledger died, the instant-information culture that we currently reside in was able to follow the unfolding drama like one would turn the pages of a novel.
However, two deaths over the past few weeks seem to have come and gone without proper recognition. The first of these was the Paul Scofield, the British actor whose portrayal of Sir Thomas More in 1966’s “A Man for All Seasons” is one of the most powerful and compelling sights ever put on film. Oscar was kind on the film, awarding it with statues for best screenplay, director, picture, and, of course, actor. For anyone with even the slightest interest in powerful performances, seeing this film is a must. Some of the monologues that Scofield exudes are nothing short of breathtaking.
Scofield was also nominated for his supporting role in 1994's “Quiz Show.” As the father of a man who is talked into participating in a rigged game show, his time on screen is meticulously nuance, and constantly heart felt.
The second of the major deaths in recent weeks was that of British director Anthony Minghella. While his name may not be instantly recognizable, his films most certainly are.
Minghella made a name for himself in 1996, when his film, “The English Patient,” won fistfuls of golden idols. As both writer and director of the film, he quickly propelled himself into the upper stratosphere of artists.
He followed the film up with 1999’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” the Matt Damon thriller which garnered a slew of Oscar Nominations itself.
2003 brought what is no doubt Minghella’s finest, as well as most underappreciated masterpiece. “Cold Mountain,” a quasi-retelling of “The Odyssey” set during the Civil War, is truly one of the finest films of the decade. From sheer visual splendor, to heart-wrenching emotional moments, the film holds up to this day as a perfect commentary on the hell of war and the heroism of those who go through it.
While Scofield had decades to bestow his gift on the world, Minghella was just reaching his stride as an artist. The bright lights under the Hollywood sign have most definitely dimmed with the loss of these two masters of craft.
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