The Australian

Love Makes More Balanced Ledger
Sophie Tedmanson, Entertainment reporter
11 jan 2006



HE thinks spitting is disgusting and swearing poor behaviour, despite suggestions he is an expert at both. Now the transformation of film star Heath Ledger is to include a role as doting father and possible Mr Mum.

As the 26-year-old actor cranks up his campaign to be nominated for this year's Oscars, Ledger yesterday talked of love, homosexuality and spending more time at home with three-month-old Matilda.

The new improved Ledger took to the red carpet in Melbourne last night with fiancee Michelle Williams for the premiere of Brokeback Mountain, the movie that has earned them both critical acclaim.

"I want to work halfway through this year just to pay some bills, but I want to let Michelle work as much as possible this year and I'll just follow her around being Mr Mum," Ledger told The Australian.

Despite praise for his performance, Ledger lost a best actor award at last night's Critics' Choice Awards to Capote star Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Williams, 25, said it was not difficult to play opposite her beau, despite the heartache suffered by their on-screen characters. "It wasn't confusing at any point that our characters were behaved so badly towards each other, and it didn't confuse me about how I felt about Heath," she said.

The film has also attracted criticism, with cinemas in two US states - including the Mormon-heavy Utah - refusing to show the film because of its "controversial storyline".

But love is love, says Ledger of the film that includes depictions of physical intimacy in a tent between the cowboys and a full-frontal nudity scene where they run into a river together.

"I think it's incredibly immature of them," says Ledger of the film's critics.

"I think they should evolve past it - there are worse things in life than the forms in which we love."

Meanwhile, Matilda keeps the couple grounded. "Having Matilda in our lives has given us the greatest distraction of all," he said.

The Australian


*Mr. Ledger's opinions do not necessarily represent the opinions of HeathHeathens or its Administration.