“It’s early in the year and people are looking for things to talk about as possible Oscar contenders,” said Maxim film critic Pete Hammond. “I would say Heath Ledger has got a good chance now, but it depends on what opens later.
“Getting a posthumous nomination is rare, but it does happen. I think there’s a lot of goodwill towards Heath. People are looking at this performance as the last chance to do something for Heath, and he’s certainly deserving.