2008, Year of The Dark Knight?

In the midst of a violent bank robbery, where numerous shots have been fired, the front doors have been broken in, and the thieves have cowered everyone into their deepest fears; a bank manager asks the gun-toting thief before him “What do you believe in?” He responds, “I believe that what doesn’t kill you simply makes you… stranger.” In a dazzling performance as the time honored Batman character “The Joker”, actor Heath Ledger is said to give what may have been the greatest performance of his career by delivering surprisingly sensitive lines like that one; from the lips of a madman. “Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos. I’m an agent of chaos. Oh, and you know the thing about chaos? It’s fair!” continues ‘The Joker”

Introducing Chaos, intended or not, it’s exactly what this film has done. Only rarely are first-run films re-released into the theaters, but demand to see the 150 minute-plus film is still strong enough for the studios to plan to place the film back in theaters this January. And if that weren’t enough; the Academy Awards might also break a rule….awarding an action film it’s top awards. Strong rumors say the film is a leading contender to win at least Best Director & Best Picture at the upcoming awards ceremony. The awards have rarely been bestowed upon action movies….much less a “Batman” flick.

Seeing the headline announcing the accolades the film is garnering; it reminded me that 2008 was the year of “The Dark Knight” in more than just a movie. The themes of the film revolved in my real life this year; the year where everything that I assumed to be reality, turned out not so much to be.

Since I’ve been a boy; I’ve been fortunate enough to have a clear moral compass. It’s pretty deep to say that right out; but it’s true. Being on the right side of things has always been of utmost importance to me, the point where adequate sleep becomes an issue when outstanding wrongs that I feel should be corrected is not. Relaxation only comes when the world revolving in a circle of “right”. I know, I know…call me a goodie, or holier-than-thou, but it’s honestly the way I feel, for better or worse.

After enjoying a life of mostly blessings and love from family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers….2008 was the year that everything changed. Almost everything that could have gone wrong did. Imagine everything that could happen to bring a man to his knees, it did. But more than the changes that occurred in the darkest period of my life; I experienced the darkest side of some of the closest people in my life. The worst of their personalities and traits began to be displayed all at once. For someone used to expecting the best from everyone, it was overwhelming to feel let down by the people you felt were better when you needed them the most. At one point, the road back to the peaceful wonderland I used to know seemed to permanently disappear, or in the words of The Joker “Y’see, madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little… push.”

When Dark Knight Co-star Aaron Eckhart was asked why he thought the action film was up for so many accolades; he told the Associated Press that the movie was “important …sociologically. I feel like in this day and age, with terrorism and with the cancers of the city and people trying to find a voice within their own city, this is an important film.” At one point the movie appears to be over, when the supposed white knight of the film, new District Attorney Harvey Dent begins working for evil explaining “You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” And therein lies the point of the “The Dark Knight”, or is it?

Call it naiveté; or maybe stubbornness…but despite the challenges; it’s been pretty hard for me to consider things in shades of gray. Despite disappointments, I still try to place everything in clear categories of right or wrong, good or bad. It may appear to make overly complex things too simple or creating expectations of things, or people that may never be met….but what’s wrong for hoping & planning for the best in everything. Especially when you’re giving out that same energy, with the only expectation is of receiving the same in return.

I can think of a few people now, who would throw this very argument right back at me in disgust. How can you expect fairytale style results from the real world as shared in the words of “The Joker”, “You have all these rules and you think they’ll save you?”

For me, I learned that the night is darkest just before the dawn. And that even goes even sometimes for the “Knight”….who if holds on to hope just long enough, will live to see the dawn that is coming, or in the words of the “Batman”, “Sometimes, truth isn’t good enough, sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.” And that’s the real point of The Dark Knight….or nights.

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