Day-Lewis' moment

The most moving words spoken about Heath Ledger came earlier this week when Daniel Day-Lewis brushed aside Oprah’s Oscar-nomination happy chat on Tuesday, and spoke eloquently about Ledger, an actor he had never met but greatly admired.

No surprise then that Day-Lewis dedicated his best actor award for “There Will Be Blood” to Ledger.

“It has always been the work of my fellow actors, including my fellow nominees, who have given me a sense of regeneration,” Day-Lewis said, his voice trembling with emotion. “Heath Ledger gave it to me. We wanted to follow him and yet we were afraid to follow him.”

“In ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ he was unique. He was perfect. The scene in the trailer at the end of the movie was as moving as anything we have ever seen. I’d like to dedicate this award to him.”

Speaking these words, which came from a place deep in his heart, Day-Lewis expressed the sadness and sense of loss many of us have been feeling this week.

Interesting contrast between this speech and the one delivered by Josh “This Is My Freakin’ Moment” Brolin. (And by the way, Josh, it wasn’t your freakin’ moment. You were accepting the ENSEMBLE AWARD.) Of courser, it was Day-Lewis’ moment, too, but he used his to shine the light on the work of a peer. True class.

-- Glenn Whipp