...Ledger was convinced by the big boys that if he sold his soul for this movie, he could be a contender.
His little star was fading fast, and he thought this would be his big chance.
But it's backfiring (no pun intended) bigtime, and little Heathcliff is crying and whining now.
I bet his uncle really did spit on him.
The concurrent release of "Casanova" was just too transparent. I can hear how is agent sold it to him: Appear on the big screen simulating anal sex with a dude and Hollywood will forever view you as an ac-TOR (see, Robbins, Tim). Meanwhile we will make a crappy movie that features you having sex with as many women. In terms of public image, the two cancel eachother out. Judging by the box office numbers, Casanova will be out on DVD by the end of February.