This film is basically average.

NONE of the performances in this film are anything worth getting over exited about. Heath Ledger's performance was good. It wasn't amazing, it wasn't even great. Just like Ian Curtis his death did him the world of good. I'm not saying he wasn't a capable actor; I'm simply saying he wasn't anything special.

Have we reached an age where licking your lips and snuffling is regarded as 'a performance that should earn him every award known to man'?

He is only regarded as being so super good because he's dead - simple as that.

Watch Tim Burton's Batman, it's a better film.