Today I had planned to write about my 5 favourite films of the year, but I've been knocked sideways by the confirmation this afternoon that Carrie Fisher has sadly passed away. When news broke that she had suffered a heart-attack, like millions of others I was wishing and hoping she would recover. Maybe it was for selfish reasons - I couldn't imagine the new Trilogy of Star Wars movies being concluded without the leadership of Princess Leia.
But sadly, it was not to be. And like the rest of my generation, I am in mourning for an actress who, as Princess Leia Organa, was an iconic part of our our childhoods, and the films we still love today. When you think about why Star Wars was so successful, why it became so huge a part of culture, of people's lives, is down to a great number of things, and people. Not just George Lucas' vision, not just the wizards at ILM that realised the worlds, not anyone actor in their roles. It was all of those things - and Carrie Fisher was part of that. Han Solo was iconic because of Harrison Ford's swaggering performance; Mark Hamill was the embodiment of Luke's youthful idealism and energy. And then there was Carrie Fisher's Leia: a Princess who needed to be rescued, but was not a damsel in distress - she was a fighter, a warrior, a leader, a diplomat. It is easy to imagine that, without the attitude, spark, determination and grace she brought to the role, then a vital ingredient would have been missing to the whole. I don't have a daughter, but if I did I would be more than happy if she aspired after Princess Leia: the way she didn't stop fighting for what is right, even when her back is to the wall; to be there for friends, and to trust they'll do right for you; and to tell scruffy-looking nerf herders where they can get off. In fact, those aren't values just for girls to look up to - they're values for everyone.
Of course, Carrie was not just Princess Leia. As an actress, she was in another of my favourite films - possibly the greatest Romantic-Comedy of all-time, 'When Harry Met Sally'; although a supporting role, the wit and attitude she was becoming well known for as a writer were well in evidence. Though she never had a role as high-profile as Leia, Carrie was respected, admired and adored for her work as an author and screen-writer, and seemed to handle her status as a Pop-Culture with a grace and knowing-wit that befitted her best-known and most beloved role.
She'll be seen on-screen one final time as Leia in Star Wars Episode VIII next year - which will now, very sadly, be Leia's final Star Wars film appearance; sadder still that we'll no longer have Carrie's disarmingly honest wit and humour, from her writing, interviews, or appearances at Star Wars Conventions. Shortly after hearing the news I listened to the closing music from Empire Strikes Back, my favourite of John William's Star Wars scores - it contains the beautiful and melancholic refrain of 'Leia's Theme'; it sounded even more bittersweet tonight than it normally does.
Rest in Peace, Carrie Fisher; Farewell, to our Princes Leia. You'll forever be an icon of cinema, for my generation, and Star Wars fans.
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