Anthony Minghella is dead

• email this story
• read comments (107)
• post a comment
• 
  
  

The death of Anthony Minghella, who succumbed to a hemmorhage in London a little less than twelve hours ago, comes as a huge shock. He was only 54, and had decades to go. Sincere condolences to his family, friends (especially his partner Sydney Pollack), colleagues and fans.

Minghella's spokesperson Leslee Dart called this morning to explain that Minghella didn't die of a brain hemmorhage, which a spokesperson stated in London and was reported by Variety. She said she didn't know any other specifics about the hemmorhage. Minghella "had been diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils, and had an operation to remove [cancerous elements]. The doctors were very optimistic, it had been caught it in plenty of time and he was recovering as expected. And then this happened."

Minghella had perhaps the gentlest and most serene temperament of all the big-time directors I've known and dealt with. When I expressed reservations about Cold Mountain after catching an early screening, Minghella wanted to sit down and discuss them. We did that, and it was a completely agreeable, painless and at times even amusing conversation. I was amazed and delighted by this, and pretty much fell in love with him at that moment.

Minghella adopted the same attitude when I had problems with Breaking and Entering. He spoke to me at a Peggy Siegal party in New York, and asked me to watch it a second time. I told him I would, and I did. Minghella was always smiling, always a soft-spoken diplomat, eternally thoughtful and sensitive.

What a sad morning this is for me. I'm also dealing with my sister Laura having died last night in Connecticut from cancer, about a half hour before Minghella's departure.

Minghella left the planet at 5 a.m. this morning (last night around 9 pm Pacific time) at Charing Cross Hospital in London, "where he had undergone a routine operation on his neck," according to Variety's Adam Daltrey and Ali Jaafar.

Minghella "most recently directed the BBC/HBO telepic No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, based on Alexander McCall Smith's novel set in Botswana, which is due to premiere March 23 on BBC1," Variety says.

Minghella's films include the Oscar-winning The English Patient, Breaking and Entering, Cold Mountain, The Talented Mr Ripley and Truly Madly Deeply. He was the chairman of the British Film Institute until recently. Variety says he was "scheduled to shoot a segment" for the anthology New York, I Love You.

comment #1

buckzollo says ...

My condolences Wells. AM was an artist. And not to be glib, but if it helps your sister isn't gone, "she's just at Bloomingdales."

comment #2

Edward says ...

Jeffrey:
I'm am very sorry for your loss.

I also wish to add my condolences to Anthony Minghella's family.

comment #3

Scott Feinberg says ...

Sorry to hear about Minghella and even more so about your sister, Jeff.
Scott

comment #4

Jeffrey Kunze says ...

What a shock and a shame. I really enjoyed Minghella's work. I had read Cold Mountain, and was blown away by it's beauty, previous to seeing the film and thought there was no way a film version could work, even if coming from the acclaimed director of The English Patient. To my surprise, the film was beautifully crafted, though different in many ways from the book, and I was impressed and satisfied by Minghella's incredible scope.

I would have put him in a Top 20 list of best directors currently working.

Condolences to his family and also to you and your family Jeff.

comment #5

Mgmax says ...

My sincere condolences for your loss. Best wishes to you and all of your family in this difficult time.

comment #6

alan says ...

Wow. Morning shocker. This is very sad, as Minghella was one of my favorites. The English Patient and The Talented Mr. Ripley are two very fine, largely under-appreciated films.

comment #7

Rich S. says ...

I'm terribly sorry about the loss of your sister. My thoughts are with you and your family.

comment #8

Mr. Muckle says ...

Condolences JW. These things are very sad.

comment #9

Howlingman says ...

My condolences, Jeff. Terrible news.

comment #10

MikeSchaeferSF says ...

Condolences, Jeff. And Minghella's Truly Madly Deeply could not be more appropriate viewing today..

comment #11

Unison says ...

So sorry to hear about your loss, Jeff.

comment #12

Glenn Kenny says ...

My condolences on the death of your sister, Jeff. Your reminscences of Minghella are quite moving, also. Be well.

comment #13

Voyant says ...

Very sorry to hear about your sister - my sincere condolences..

comment #14

thorsen1nk says ...

Dark days, dark days. Condolences all around. I like my AM coffee black, but man...

comment #15

dgunz says ...

As a regular reader of your work for years, Jeff, my condolences to you and your family. All the best.

comment #16

joe says ...

My condolences to your family, Jeff, and to Minghella's. My brother recently passed away from cancer as well. I saw Minghella at a Q @ A after a screening of "Cold Mountain," and he seemed a very decent human being.

comment #17

Vitesse98 says ...

Very sorry to hear, Jeff, about both your sister and Minghella.

(On a lighter note, per your awkward mention of Minghella's "partner" Sydney Pollack, I had to do some panicked googling, wondering how it was I had no idea Pollack and Minghella were a gay couple).

comment #18

SaraMichelle says ...

My sincerest condolonces to you and your family, Jeff, in this difficult time.

As for Mr. Minghella, I met him once after a screening at the Seattle International Film Festival. He seemed like one of the most straight-forward and genuine people you would ever be likely to meet. Your words about him were both elloquent and heartfelt. Very warmly and wonderfully said.

Again, you have my sincerest condolonces. Please take care.

comment #19

lazarus says ...

I was a huge, huge fan of this man and his work. I saw him speak at UCLA around the release of Cold Mountain, what a privilege. His DVD director's commentaries are among the most informative and insightful.

I hope this will at least lead to a reevaluation of his work, because he was a serious artist really utilizing all the tools of a director, and there.

Something to note from the AP story, when discussing The English Patient:

***

He said too many modern films let the audience be passive, as if they were saying, "We're going to rock you and thrill you. We'll do everything for you."

"This film goes absolutely against that grain," he said. "It says, `I'm sorry, but you're going to have to make some connections. There are some puzzles here. The story will constantly rethread itself and it will be elliptical, but there are enormous rewards in that.'"

**

Even as a Best Picture winner, a very underrated film, and far from the middlebrow snore most art snobs dismiss it as.

comment #20

robbiefantastic says ...

very sorry to hear about you sister wells.

comment #21

lipranzer says ...

Condolences to you and your family, Jeff.

And a nicely written tribute to Minghella. I still think ENGLISH PATIENT is a brilliant movie, and I also loved TALENTED MR. RIPLEY and COLD MOUNTAIN. They may have been "literary adaptations," but they were done with nuance as well as craft. I wasn't a fan of BREAKING AND ENTERING, but I was looking forward to his next project, the detective series set in Botswana. He will be missed.

comment #22

Joe Leydon says ...

My condolences to you and your family, Jeff. And my prayers for your sister.

comment #23

Aladdin Sane says ...

Sorry to hear about your loss Wells.

Sad about Minghella. Talented Mr. Ripley is one of those films that I have often thought about without having watched it in a few years. May be time for a repeat viewing.

comment #24

Ortega says ...

My sincerest condolences for your loss, Jeff, and to Minguella's family. I take it that your father is in a delicate condition, so if that's the case, best wishes for him as well.

comment #25

Doug Pratt says ...

Minghella also wrote and directed the pilot episode (and several other installments) of one of the greatest British murder mystery shows ever, Inspector Morse, and there is no question that his sense of urbanity and 'class' set the tone for the entire series.

comment #26

ElstonGunnAICN says ...

My condolences for your loss, Mr. Wells. Must be hard.

As for Minghella, he seemed like a very interesting person and I was looking forward to what he was going to do next. As far as work, there is a body of it out there, at least.

comment #27

redmond says ...

Condolences on the loss of your sister and colleague Anthony Minghella, Jeff. Don't worry about posting on our account. Take all the time to heal and your devoted fans will be waiting here for you.

comment #28

jesse says ...

I'm so sorry to hear that, Jeff. My condolences as well, to you and your family.

Sorry to hear about Minghella, too. Talented Mr. Ripley and Cold Mountain are both underrated; Ripley is an especially strong, unnerving film, with Damon's best performance to date.

comment #29

drillo cocco says ...

My deepest condolences to our host Mr. Wells, and to Mr. Minghella's family: he wasn't only a film maker but also a man of the theater, a gifted director of the opera, a man of thought and emotion.

Sad day.

comment #30

source188 says ...

What is this? What a start to this year it has been. My sincere condolences go out to the Minghella family and to the Wells family.

The Talented Mr. Ripley has always been my favorite work from Anthony Minghella, and as already mentioned here, it's a film I always enjoy revisiting every once in a while.

comment #31

phillip noyce says ...

Anthony was a warm and generous collaborator who swept up all around him into a celebration of the mystery and magic of creation.

comment #32

phillip noyce says ...

Anthony was a warm and generous collaborator who swept up all around him into a celebration of the mystery and magic of creation.

comment #33

George Prager says ...

Sorry for your loss, Jeff. My condolences.

comment #34

phillip noyce says ...

Anthony was a warm and generous collaborator who swept up all around him into a celebration of the mystery and magic of creation.

comment #35

Jack Price says ...

I'm truly sorry Jeff. Please take as much time as you need to cope. Reflecting what redmond said, your readership will still be here when you return.

comment #36

actionman says ...

My deepest sympathies go out to you Jeff. I am very sorry to hear about your sister. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

comment #37

FilmTurtle says ...

My condolences to you and your family, Wells. Safe travels.

comment #38

phillip noyce says ...

Anthony was a warm and generous collaborator who swept up all around him into a celebration of the mystery and magic of creation.

comment #39

GKLondon says ...

My sincerest condolences for your loss Mr. Wells.

comment #40

rafaelrsv says ...

Very sorry for your loss Jeff. My condolences to your family.

comment #41

Mr. Blood Vessel says ...

condolences Jeff for you and your family.

comment #42

hatchetface says ...

Jeff, my condolences for both of your losses. Hang in there.

comment #43

gruver1 says ...

Thanks to everyone for their notes of sympathy. I'm not used to being moved by HE reader postings. Thanks for this. My sister's fate had been clear for the last couple of years, but there's something about the actual departure that creates a curious void, something you can't anticipate but once it settles in is very pronounced, surprisingly so. I prefer the metaphor of a dove spreading its wings and flying away, freed from the agony of a dying body and finally free to cruise on the cosmic currents and just taking in all creation -- a rush and a bliss-out and a sense of eternal peace that will go on forever.

comment #44

Eric Stanton says ...

Very sorry to hear about your sister, Jeff. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Thanks for taking the time at such a difficult moment to post this affecting reminisence of Anthony Minghella. My sympathy to his family and friends as well.

comment #45

goodvibe61 says ...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss Jeff. My condolences to you and your family.

Minghella's passing is an absolute shock. I found his work reaching for great depth, he was going for a home run every time out. His success rate has been enviable. He will be sadly missed.

comment #46

thegreatmags says ...

God bless and my deepest condolen
ces, Jeff. "We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them -- this morning, as they prepared for their journey, and waved good-bye, and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God.

comment #47

StoneFan1 says ...

My own Marquee Awards recognized Anthony
Minghella many times;

The English Patient
- Best Picture of the Year - 1996
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
- Best Picture nominee
- Best Director nominee
- Best Screenplay nominee

Mr. Minghella will be missed by all true film fans!

"Breaking and Entering" deserved better in the U.S.

comment #48

qwiggles says ...

My condolences, Jeff.

comment #49

phillip noyce says ...

Sorry about the multiple posts, Jeff.Pressed that button too many times.Never posted before... Ant's death.

comment #50

Jeremy Smith says ...

That's a lovely thought, Jeff. My condolences.

comment #51

Midwest Doug says ...

Jeff, my condolences on your sister's passing. The inevitability of terminal cancer makes you wish for the peace of death for your loved one. But damn, it just hurts. I lost my brother-in-law yesterday.

comment #52

Matthew Lucas says ...

My condolences to you Jeff and also to Minghella's family. He was a talented director with many good films still left in him. What a tragic loss.

comment #53

scooterzz says ...

wells, condolences to you and yours.....thoughts and prayers are with you.....

comment #54

JVD says ...

Jeff, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

comment #55

cinemascopian says ...

Terrible news. Awful day. So sorry.

comment #56

Aguirre says ...

that's awful, jeff. i'm very sorry and offer all of my condolences.

comment #57

Circumvrent says ...

My condolenses, Jeff. I'm sorry for your loss.

comment #58

AbeGoldfarb says ...

My sincerest condolences, Jeff.

comment #59

Nick J says ...

Very sad news all around. Jeff, sincere condolences to you and your whole family. Stay strong.

comment #60

sutter kane says ...

Very, very sorry, Jeff.

comment #61

nola says ...

Jeff, so sorry to hear about you sister.

I know Syndey is very ill with cancer but Minghella?

Very talented, kind person. I agree with the other posters that Talented Mr. Ripley is an underappreciated gem.

comment #62

eithan says ...

Been reading your blog for a while, but never commented before. Upon reading your moving eulogy about mr. minghella, I felt the need to sign up and personally send my condolances to you on the loss of your sister. As some commented above me, take your time to grieve. My thoughts are with you.

Eithan,
Israel

comment #63

Howlingman says ...

Midwest Doug, I don't know you, but I'm still sorry as hell about your brother-in-law.

comment #64

Jean says ...

My condolences on your loss Jeff. A sad day for one of us is a sad day for all of us.

comment #65

Noah says ...

My sympathies, Jeff. Your sanity during this crazy time is something to be admired.

comment #66

chicbn872 says ...

My dearest condolences to you and may God Bless your family.

comment #67

Pelham123 says ...

You, and your family, have my sincerest condolences, Jeff.

comment #68

JohnCope says ...

A very sad day. I offer up my sincerest condolences as well, Jeff.

I'm reminded of the epitaph to Sokurov's film, The Second Circle:

"Happy are those near to us who die before us."

Without self-pity, that spells out about as well as anything I can imagine the radical truth of mourning and being left behind; from a director who was always sensitive to such things.

comment #69

christian says ...

Truly sorry about your sister, Jeff.

comment #70

KevinTC says ...

Deepest condolences, Jeff. Beautiful words, as always.

comment #71

dangovich says ...

My sincerest condolences, Jeff.

comment #72

christian says ...

I lost my father to prostate cancer three year ago, and if there was any solace, it came from knowing he had it for a decade. That was a small buffer in our minds and hearts since we had time to prepare and be with him. Obviously you had some contemplative time as well.

comment #73

frankbooth says ...

What a lousy morning. And I though it was just me.

Jeff, you're probably familiar with the Buddhist teaching that says our lives are the equivalent of waves in the ocean. We pop up briefly, and then rejoin the vastness of eternity. Your sister and Mr. Minghella are no longer individuals, but they still exist.

Sorry if I'm being didactic, but I hope this notion is of some comfort.

comment #74

BurmaShave says ...

My sincere prayers and condolences Wells, for the loss of your friend and especially of your sister.

comment #75

dixiedugan says ...

My deepest sympathy to you and your entire family Jeff.

This is not shaping up to be a good year.

comment #76

Rod32303 says ...

Anthony Minghella's films were just...different. I always felt like I had seen...art. Even parts of "Mr. Wonderful," were, well, just that. I will miss him and his work.

I am very sorry for your loss, Jeff. I don't know what else to say - what DOES one say to make it better. Just know you make a difference to us. I am sure your sister made a difference, too.

comment #77

brendan mccarthy says ...

Hallo Jeff,
Here are a few thoughts on Anthony Minghella:

Anthony's death really took me by surprise, earlier
today. I worked with him on a bunch of his film and TV
projects some years ago, largely before his career
took off with 'The English Patient'.

He had written these beautiful scripts for Jim
Henson's TV series 'The Storyteller', which I storyboarded
and did the conceptual designs for.
While I was working on the TV series, he asked me to
help him with visualizing a new feature he had
written: It was a smart comedy called 'Seven deadly
Sins' where the sins, Lust, Greed, Envy etc are little
creatures attempting to corrupt a man who is too
wholesome for his own good. It never got off the
ground, but we met again when he came to
LA. I was over there finishing up the 'Coneheads'
movie with director Steve Barron.

Anthony had recently arrived in Hollywood, so we both
decided to go down to the local DMV together as we
both had to pick up a driver's ID... He wanted to tell
me about another film he had planned, a follow-up to
'Truly Madly' called 'Mr Wonderful' for MGM, to see if
I'd like to work on it with him.

Whenever we chatted together, the conversation would
often swerve off into quite surreal realms... a verbal
tennis game with each of us trying to top the other.
Just something to pass the time. At one point I suggested
to him that he should capitalize on the success of his hit
British TV series 'Inspector Morse' and create a new detective
based on the singer in the rock group ELO, who would,
in this case be blind, as some sort of physical
impediment was the rule in these types of TV shows...

I declared that the series was to be called "Blind
Jeff Lynne" and would feature the actual Jeff Lynne
with a white cane and an impenetrable "brummie"
accent, maybe even subtitles. Anthony stared at me
ashen-faced and gravely told me that Jeff was a close
friend of his and was actually losing his sight and
going blind. Anthony was a bit shaken up and
weirded-out that our conversation had strayed into
such an unfortunate coincidence. I was quite shocked
and apologized. I really had no idea... We sat
together in silence for a long while, and were
eventually called to pick up our licenses...

As we left the building Anthony roared with laughter,
his whole Jeff Lynne story a well-acted sham.
So, alright, he got me on that one.

Every time I bumped into him in the years that
followed, he would always sing a lick from an ELO song
and rib me about falling for his ruse. As many others
have remarked, Anthony was a very funny, good-natured
man.

Later, I worked on another movie with him that he'd
written called 'Prince Charming' for Working Title
Films in London. We spent a few weeks locked away up
in the Lake District, visualizing the script. We had
some great, interesting conversations about all sorts
of ideas, from occult magick to cutting edge
physics... and inevitably, Jeff Lynne.

God Bless you Anthony. It was a lot of fun!

Brendan McCarthy

comment #78

katcalls says ...

Dude, that blows. Very sorry to hear of your sister's death...very bad news. Sending you good vibes.

comment #79

facls says ...

Jeff, my condolences to you and your family, and also to Minghella's family.

comment #80

DarthCorleone says ...

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, Jeff. I can only imagine how the loss of one of my siblings would wreck me. My thoughts are with you and your family.

And, yeah, I'm also sad about Minghella. I'm not a big English Patient fan, but I loved Cold Mountain and Ripley. Minghella had a distinct style that would often make me think while I was reading a good book: "Hey, Anthony Minghella would make a great film out of this!" Thanks for sharing those vignettes of your interactions with him.

comment #81

ROTC says ...

So sorry to hear about your loss, Jeff. Whether anticipated or not, the death of a close family member cannot help but leave an irreparable void. My heartfelt condolences.

comment #82

brendan says ...

Jeff,

My condolences to you and your family. Stay strong and safe travels back East.

Brendan

comment #83

CinemaPhreek says ...

I will have to track down a copy of TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY to finally see it again. It was such a special film that I have only seen it once in order to keep it precious. Considering the projects that he and Pollack have brought to the viewing project this is a very sad day for those of us who do truly, madly and oh so deeply love cinema. His family's loss is ours as well.

comment #84

CinemaPhreek says ...

That was supposed to be "viewing public"

comment #85

Josh Massey says ...

Jeff: Maybe you're a person who wraps yourself in work in times of sadness, but please take some time to yourself if you need to. We will all be here when you return.

comment #86

MoroccoMole says ...

Very sorry to hear about your loss, Jeffrey. Both my parents were taken by cancer, so I know it's a bitch.

comment #87

JPlatt says ...

Jeff....my sincere condolences...a very hard morning indeed...safe travels.

comment #88

Thrudvangar says ...

Another great who died before their time. The English Patient is one of my favorite films.

Also, sorry to hear about your sis, Jeff. Hang in there. Take care.

comment #89

Terry McCarty says ...

My condolences on the death of your sister.

comment #90

alan says ...

And now Arthur C. Clarke is dead too. What a day...

comment #91

travis b says ...

my condolences to you and your family, jeff. takes some time and be well sir

comment #92

christian says ...

Arthur Clarke's final message to the world on the eve of his 90th birthday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qLdeEjdbWE

comment #93

va says ...

My condolences to you Jeff and your family on your sister's passing....thoughts and prayers from my family to yours....

comment #94

filmfestivalgeek says ...

When I heard about Anthony Minghella I immediately went to your site to see what you would have posted on him...a sad shock to see the reference to your sister. Deepest condolences.

My prayers for the spirits and souls of your sister, Mr. Minghella and Arthur C. Clarke.

Already booked copies of The English Patient and Truly, Madly, Deeply...just to see them again.

comment #95

KeithNYC says ...

Sorry to hear about your sister's passing. I can't imagine losing my sibling's. Hang in there.

comment #96

calraigh says ...

Sincerest condolences to you and yours Mr. Wells, I hope you and your family keep on keepin' on.With Minghella and Clarke's passing, your sister can be assured of excellent company wherever she is.I wish you all the best,

comment #97

Caustic712 says ...

Sincere condolences to you and yours, Jeff.

comment #98

soap-and-water says ...

sorry to hear about your sister Jeff. Keep busy or take it easy - whichever one you need.

comment #99

gansibele says ...

Truly sorry for your loss, Jeff. Be well.

comment #100

D.Z. says ...

Jeff: Sorry about your sister.

comment #101

Johnstone says ...

Jeff:

My first post, but long-time reader.

Hoping "this too shall pass" for you.

So...as you say,

BE WELL

comment #102

Nate West says ...

I'm sorry to hear this about your sister. My condolences, Mr. Wells.

comment #103

Spacelamb says ...

So sorry Jeff. Take care.

comment #104

LYT says ...

So sorry about your sister, Jeff. My siblings mean the world to me and I cannot imagine.

Even the folks who normally give you a hard time here are probably rooting for you too. Stay well.

comment #105

Nick Plowman says ...

Hi Jeff.

I am truly sorry for your loss; I have never experienced a loss like that, so I can only imagine the pain you are feeling. My baby sister is my everything, and I cannot bear to hear of someone losing his or hers. May your sister Rest in Piece.

I feel that Anthony Minghella's death is also extremely unfair. He was so young, and he was so, so talented. I loved most of his films, my favourite being "The English Patient". I will miss his work very much.

Take it easy, and go well Mr. Wells.

comment #106

JT-Oz says ...

Wow. Sorry Jeff. Not much can be said other than sorry.

comment #107

hiviper says ...

Jeff, let me offer by belated condolences to you on your sister's passing.

As for Mr. Minghella, he created one of my most oft-watched movies of all time, which is Ripley. Something about that film, its performances, the scenery, the soundtrack, whatever.. amazed me. The lead actors in that film will always be defined by those roles IMO.

Post a Comment