Oscar winner and acclaimed director Anthony Minghella passed away in London on March 18th from what is being reported as a hemorrhage suffered after neck surgery.
Everyone will remeber him as the director of the hugely popular and wildly successful movie The English Patient, which won nine academy awards and became such a cultural force that it's appeal was even lampooned on Seinfeld, but Minghella has a fine list of other films attached to his name.
Recently, he produced the powerful drama Michael Clayton, along with The Interpreter, The Quiet American, and Iris. He also wrote and directed The Talented Mr. Ripley, starring Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow, which was nominated for five oscars. Law garnered an Oscar nomination as best supporting actor, while Minghella received a nomination for best adapted screenplay.
Just prior to his death he had completed work on The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, a TV pilot for an ongoing series set to air on British television.
Minghella brought a certain style and look to the cinema through his films, and often the look of them was very distinctive in their elegance and lush styles. Having started in the theatre, Minghella was a competent handler of actors, and could bring out their best qualities in even the smallest of roles. Regardless of how you feel about his films individually, (heaven knows I refuse to see The English Patient) you have to admit the man was extremely talented.
Minghella was 54 years old.
