The Dark Knight

I rarely see a movie more than once. “Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life” was an exception. Another was “Moulin Rouge,” which I truly loved. I have seen “The Dark Knight” no less than four times—and was totally thrilled and delighted each time. The intricate plot, the brilliant direction, the cinematography, the performances—most especially the breathtaking acting performance by the late Heath Ledger—all were nothing short of magnificent. To the extent that the story’s theme elevated evil to a level of metaphysical potency—and it did—I would certainly have to challenge its validity. But the essential romanticism of the story—the awesome portrayal of an intransigent hero’s refusal to yield to a vicious, nihilistic, irrepressible evil—was as inspiring as anything I have seen on the big screen in a long, long time.