A man of many talents, Anthony Minghella–who died of a brain hemorrhage at Charing Cross Hospital in London, where he had undergone a routine operation on his neck on Tuesday–spent most of the ’80s working in British television before writing, directing and later producing some of the most memorable films of our time. [PAGEBREAK]
1990: Minghella launched his feature film career by writing and directing Truly Madly Deeply, a drama about grief and grieving. The film, starring Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman, follows a woman named Nina as she comes to grips with the death of her boyfriend Jamie.[PAGEBREAK]
1993: Taking a break from writing, Minghella directed Mr. Wonderful about a man named Gus who hopes to marry off his ex-wife Leonora so he won’t have to pay alimony anymore. The romantic comedy stars Matt Dillon and Mary-Louise Parker in leading roles, with a rare cameo by James Gandolfini playing one of Leonora’s would-be suitors.[PAGEBREAK]
1996: Minghella’s next film, The English Patient, brought both critical acclaim and box office success. The story, about a nurse tending to a burn victim at the close of World War II, garnered nine Academy Awards (including Best Picture), six BAFTA Awards and two Golden Globes.[PAGEBREAK]
1999: The newly-minted Academy Award winner went on to write and direct The Talented Mr. Ripley. The psychological thriller starring Matt Damon, earned six Oscar nominations including Best Screenplay for Minghella and Best Supporting Actor for Jude Law. [PAGEBREAK]
2003: The native Brit took a turn at American history, with Cold Mountain starring Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and Renee Zellweger. The Civil War period piece about a soldier who journeys home to be with his true love, received seven Academy nominations and one win for Zellweger’s supporting role as Ruby Thewes.[PAGEBREAK]
2006: Moving away from adaptations, Breaking and Entering marked Minghella’s first original screenplay since Truly Madly Deeply. The romantic drama gave him a chance to work with Jude Law a third time as well as a second time with English Patient actress Juliette Binoche.[PAGEBREAK]
2008: In addition to filming one of 15 short movies, collectively entitled New York, I Love You, at the time of his death, Minghella was also set to debut his television pilot No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and was also linked with the film The Ninth Life of Louis Drax.[PAGEBREAK]
Minghella is survived by his wife, choreographer Carolyn Choa and his two children, Max and Hannah Minghella.
