Anthony Minghella
Oh my God, I completely missed the news that Anthony Minghella died. The Talented Mr. Ripley is one of my favorite movies of all time and now I’m sad I never got to tell him so. He also directed a stunning adaptation of Samuel Beckett’s Play that was a highlight of the Beckett on Film project, and is well worth seeking out.
At least I don’t have to worry about him being bored or uncomfortable during his long elevator ride to Heaven, he’s got Arthur C. Clarke to talk to. Unless, of course, Clarke went straight to being reborn as a giant foetus orbiting Jupiter.
Rest in Peace, both
It could also be uncomfortable if Clarke keeps bragging about how he came up with the idea of an elevator to the heavens.
Re: Rest in Peace, both
Well, then Minghella can always hit him in the forehead with an oar.
Of all the films in that Beckett series, Play is probably the one that left the most indelible images in my mind.
Also, this is unrelated, but I thought you’d like to know that the Criterion edition of Mishima will be
http://www.criterion.com/asp/release.asp?id=432#feature
>restoring Roy Scheider’s voice-over narration.
I am, of course, terribly excited about the restored Scheider narration — and am looking forward to the Ogata narration as well.
I would also be curious to hear the opinion of a Japanese Mishima fan of Ken Ogata’s performance in general. I love it, I saw the movie dozens of times in the theater (I worked in the place it was playing) but then I saw footage of Mishima himself and it seems like Ogata was miscast on some level I can’t quite put my finger on.
Very sad news, indeed!
I love Ripley, but it was The English Patient that left the biggest mark on me.
Condolences to his family.