Anthony Minghella

Everyone's shocked to hear writer-director Anthony Minghella just died. Only 54, he was one of the most respected directors around.

He started as a playwright, but was first widely noticed when he directed Truly, Madly, Deeply in 1990. I can't really comment, since I've only caught a bit of it on TV, but some friends I know say it's the best thing he ever did. It does seem to set the pattern for his later works, which--as the title indicates--concentrates intensely on human relationships.

His first film was very British, but his next film (which he didn't write), the comedy-romance Mr. Wonderful (1993), brought him to New York. It was a misstep, and probably set his career back a few years. But he rebounded in 1996, and made his most-honored film, The English Patient.

It was showered with awards, winning nine Oscars, including Best Picture. Alas, I agree with Elaine in Seinfeld--the movie is vastly overrated. But it put him at the top of the game.

His next film, in 1999, I find more interesting--The Talented Mr. Ripley. It's a flawed film, but the title character, a needy poseur, who takes on whatever characteristics are necessary at the time, is fascinating, and it may be Matt Damon's best performance. (I don't know how closely it follows the Patricia Highsmith novel, but then, that's not the point.)

Next came another novel-based film, Cold Mountain (2003). Looks beautiful, but it's another misfire. Breaking And Entering, released in 2007. was an even bigger failure. He apparently has another film yet to come out, so his career's not quite over.

Okay, not my cup of tea, but undeniably talented, and at least someone attempting to make big, intelligent film, at a time when most big films are dumb and most intelligent films are small.