Is it just me, or is it
getting crazier out there? Entertainment companies are invoking
censorship to appease Chinese communist totalitarianism, Bohemian
Rhapsody got nominated for Best Picture, and even Star Wars
movies are becoming boring now. It's a funny world we live in and
sometimes the only sensible way to live in this world is with a smile
on that face. If laughter is the best medicine then let's see how
this year's Joker treats us. So without further ado let's
dance with the devil in the pale moonlight.
All joking aside, Joker
is definitely not a comedy, it's about as grim and gritty as they
get. With its serious and unnerving tone, Joker reminds me a
bit of 2017's Logan in that it's the rated-R story of a
character we've always wanted to see done justice. Joker takes
place in the harsh and unfriendly Gotham City of 1981 and I've got to
say the attention to detail is astounding with the claustrophobic and
messy sets and period-appropriate aesthetic. The story follows Arthur
Fleck, a lonely part-time clown and aspiring stand-up comic who takes
care of his aging mother. He also has a multitude of mental
conditions and as events unfold he steadily loses his grip on sanity.
While the story starts off conventionally enough, it soon becomes
apparent that this is a dedicated character study of the Clown Prince
of Crime and his origin. It's a fascinating tale, one that arguably
doesn't require the ties it has to the Batman mythos.
The star of the show is
Joaquin Phoenix, and he is outstanding. His Oscar-worthy,
frighteningly energized, and hypnotic performance – for which he
reportedly lost 50 pounds – represents a total commitment to what
is a textbook example of a villain-protagonist: Arthur Fleck is a
captivating guy and while you will sympathize with him from time to
time he is definitely not a person you want to be. Robert De Niro
stars as a talk show host that Fleck and his mom like to watch. At
first it may not seem like he's properly cast to play a comedian but
soon you realize that he's believable as a smug, elitist entertainer
who intermittently tries to show some morality.
When I first saw
trailers for this movie I jokingly referred to it as “Taxi
Driver but with clowns”. It turns out that I wasn't that far
off: both films take place in roughly the same time period with
comparable settings and lonely characters that aren't quite right in
the head. Both films have finger guns pointed at the head, Robert De
Niro, a pretty girl who's just out of reach, and a big shot rich guy
running for public office. Oh yeah, and those endings... All in all,
Joker is a masterpiece thanks to its finely crafted tone,
excellent performances, and socially relevant themes that you could
debate for weeks on end. If you want a comic book movie that isn't
all about loud and flashy superheroics, watch Joker. This more
grounded and down-to-earth version of the character is well worth
your time.
Grade:
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