Hey there
Originally I was going to write a review on a movie I saw just a week ago, but after seeing this movie I had to write a review as soon as possible. I found myself drawn into this movie, not only as a Batman fan, but as a fan of cinema all together. To my surprise, even despite my high hopes, this movie surpassed my expectations and showed just how talented Joaquin Phoenix was as an actor. I am of course talking about Todd Phillips' 2019 Psychological thriller "Joker".

Plot:Always isolated and alone in society, aspiring Comedian Arthur Fleck walks the streets of Gotham in misery. He is constantly wearing one of his two masks, his make up for his job as a clown and the mask he wears to appear normal in the outside world. Both of which prove useless in a city that constantly reminds him that he is worth nothing in their eyes. Discarded by the city he was raised, Fleck slowly dawns a new mask as he descends into depression and insanity. This new mask he creates becomes one of the most recognized faces in Gotham's history. The Clown Prince of Crime, known as the Joker.

What the Movie Does Right: Honestly this movie does a lot of things right when it came to creating an origin for a character who on the record is very loose when it comes to recalling his own origin story. As stated in the Killing Joke "Sometimes I remember it one way, sometimes another. If I have to have a past, I'd prefer it to be multiple choice", which only shows that we cant trust him to tell us his actual story since he remembers it differently everytime. A fact that is further hinted on the Batman The Animated series when Harley Quinn has Batman hanging from the ceiling over a tank of piranha, and he tells her that he knows the story that Joker told her to win her over and it was a lie. Joker's stand alone origin was going to be a tough one to crack, and to really drive it home they needed a good actor. After Letos less than impressive performance, and Ledgers ground breaking one, and Nicolson's inspiring one, the role had to be taken by someone who could take on all the darkness of the character and roll with it. And Phoenix takes that role and makes it into a sympathetic character who we all feel for, but soon watch as he descends into madness due to isolation and one bad day.
This movie takes some ideas from the comics that long time fans and readers will know, and new ideas that really bring the character to life. It also adds to a wonderful character development with Arthur slowly coming to grips with the society around him and how he is sick of being treated as if he is nothing.
Arthur is portrayed as an isolated, sad, and almost delusional man. He suffers from a condition in which he laughs when he is under stress or afraid, and as a result often laughs at times where it comes off as strange or odd. He only lives with his mother, while stalking a single mother down the hall from where he lives. He is far from stable and this is what makes Arthur so believable in his descent into madness.
Another thing this does well is Thomas Wayne. Unlike previous films where we see Thomas only for a moment, before his death.We always assume hes a good man. After all, how could Bruce be raised by someone who was a complete bastard of a parent. But then we must recall, Thomas didnt raise Bruce completely. That was Alfred. Thomas in this movie comes off as far more selfish, pompous and a lot more negatively than that of any incarnation we have seen before him. This works to an amazing degree when Arthur confronts him later.
Finally, the Birth of the Joker (its what I am calling the scene to avoid spoilers) is one of the most wonderful points in the film. It comes as a collection of realizations that Arthur comes to towards the end of the film. Where Arthur, after losing so much throughout the film finally realizes that the world around him is a sick joke, and hes only getting the joke now. This scene shows some amazing acting from Phoenix, which as you probably have heard by now, has him heavily rumored to take home the oscar this year. Which is deserved.

Is it connected to DCEU: Honestly, no. Its set in a different time period and universe. I believe this is part of DC Black, which takes the characters of DC and places them in alternative settings. Its kind of like an Elseworlds kind of movies, which for those who dont know DC comics, is the WHAT If of DC.

Performances: This entire cast gave it there all, but like so many others who have seen it I wanna praise the hell out of Joaquin Phoenix who played the Joker so well it was almost scary. Not since Ledger have I seen someone portray Joker so skillfully, and yet he is nothing like Ledgers Joker. While both Jokers come off as frail, unpredictable, and unsettling, Phoenix's Joker comes off as a tad more unhinged than Ledgers. Unlike Ledgers Joker who clearly had a plan all along, Phoenix's Joker seems to change and adapt to the moment so all plans are useless until the end game result is achieved. Its this kind of unpredictable nature that I found really enhanced Phoenix's performance as Joker, and as a HUGE Batman Fanboy I was not expecting such a great show.

Why the hate: Just like the titular character of this movie, critics dont like him, but the public love him, the film has received similar backlash. Due to its representation of Arthur and claims it glorifies the incell movement, many critics panned or discredited the film. However this is Villains origin story, and therefore not something to aspire to be. I think we all see a part of us in Joker, but that doesnt mean we are going down the same path as him. Joker is one of the most iconic villains around today, and with him comes a level of expectation. But all the hate seems to stem from the claim "BAD GUY DO BAD THING" therefore society will follow. And that is just not the case. In the same mind as gaming doesnt make me violent, Joker doesnt make me want to dress in clown make up and topple the society we live in. It asks some important questions on mental health and how society views those with it, and I dont think people like to be told that because it reminds them that they are guilty of doing just that. Treating people with mental illness with dismissal or as outcasts. I dont know, maybe I am wrong, but thats my take on it.

Personal Verdict: Honestly this movie was an amazing showcase of acting talent, and showed a different side to the Clown Prince of Crime that we probably never knew existed. I found that Phoenix really stood out among that talented cast, which included Robert DeNiro on top of his game as Murray Franklin. The movie slows down when it needs to and speeds up when it has to. It holds your attention throughout as you watch this poor broken man spiral deeper into depression and insanity with every rock he looks under. With amazing acting, story, and direction, the Joker is one of those movies that if we take away the gimmick of the title character it doesnt change the movie at all and remains just as amazing a character analysis.

Overall Score: 10/10

This is one of the greatest interpretations I have seen of the Joker since Mark Hamil. Joker is worth the price of admission and all the praise it gets.

Great movie and Phoenix absolutely killed it!

Spoilers Dawg:

I really, really want to see it, but haven't been able to get to the cinema yet. I hope the DVD/BR comes out sooner rather than later.

Great movie, really enjoyed it. Joaquin Phoenix did a phenomenal job in the role. I really had a emotional connection and you can feel the pain Arthur Fleck was going through. Great write up of this movie.

honestly this is an overall amazing movie i recommend everyone to go watch it!.

@Famaine
I know right. Its such a great movie and unique take on the character.

@Alixen
I am looking forward to its release in case theres some extras or deleted scenes that didnt make it in the final film.

@HoppyHead
Thanks For the compliment. Yeah he really knocked it out of the park with his portrayal of the character. I really hope he gets the oscar, if not just the nomination. Maybe you should dawn a clown mask? Who knows?


@TribalRaven
Such a great movie and portrayal. I cant believe it was as good as it was.

The movie was absolutely fantastic. It was so... mentally funny, to me. I honestly can't wait for it to come out on DVD so I can watch it a second time because it was so great. The new Batman movie coming next with Robert Pattinson as Batman sounds promising, but I just can't see him as Batman, though I am willing to give him a chance, I hope it'll help him make a new name after the abomination he played in Twilight.

Nice review! It's often good to see one or two on such great subjects, I need to get around to writing my own at some point.