Tinseltown lost two lights this week -- director Anthony Minghella, who died due to complications from surgery at the age of 54, and British stage and screen star Paul Scofield, who lost his battle with leukemia at 86.

Minghella is probably best known for his film The English Patient, which I never saw, so my knowledge of him is limited to his work on The Talented Mr. Ripley, which Ross Douthat calls "a disturbing American tragedy." I agree that it's an underrated flick -- its portrayal of a man sinking into great evil, one lie at a time, was difficult to watch, but almost harder to look away from (and not least because of its lavish production value). And the performances are almost uniformly excellent -- Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and -- most surprisingly, to me -- Matt Damon, in the role that first made me think he might be more than just "Ben Affleck's sidekick."

Scofield, of course, will best be remembered for his turn as Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons, which won him an Oscar. I've already related (somewhat shamefacedly) how that film is a total weepfest for me, largely due to Scofield's brilliant performance. For all his fame as one of the greatest 20th-century actors on the English stage, however, it was this anecdote from his AP obit that struck me:

Scofield was an unusual star -- a family man who lived almost his entire life within a few miles of his birthplace and hurried home after work to his wife and children. He didn't seek the spotlight, gave interviews sparingly, and at times seemed to need coaxing to venture out, even onto the stage he loved.

[snip]

Scofield reportedly had been offered a knighthood, but declined.

"It is just not an aspect of life that I would want," he once said. "If you want a title, what's wrong with Mr.?"

Of all the actors in whom a little braggadoccio could be excused, Scofield is one. That he seemed to be so blessedly normal makes me respect him even more.

They will both be missed.