Ledger obviously won because of a sympathy vote. Not that it wasn't a great performance, but superhero flicks and comedies never get their due. The absence of TDK as a best picture nominee is further proof his death led to the nomination and win.
There is some truth to the sympathy vote suspicion, but its also fair to give the man his due - it was a great performance.
Oh, I agree it's a great performance. Likely the best of those nominated. My point was had he not died the academy would not have gave him a whiff. They don't normally give big awards to superhero movies or comedies.
