From Cesar Romero to Heath Ledger, the Joker has always shown to draw out memorable performances and unique takes on the iconic comic book villain.
Romero was absolute camp. Jack Nicholson was clownishly dark. Ledger was terrifyingly realistic. Joaquin Phoenix? In a class of his own.
Joker has already stirred up intense controversy ranging from its depiction of mental illness to whether or not it glorifies and romanticizes violence among the disillusioned. No matter what side you are on, the movie is an audacious Rorschach test. Even that is putting it lightly.
Phoenix stars as Arthur Fleck, a clown-for-hire who suffers from mental illness which produces uncontrollable laughter. He’s victimized by just about everyone he encounters, from teenage punks who steal his “Everything Must Go” sign for his business to arrogant businessmen attacking him on a subway.
Arthur is completely without emotional support as he lives with his ailing mother (Frances Conroy) and manages to strike up a relationship with a single mother (Zazie Beets).
Arthur’s dream is to become a stand up comedian and his act in a nightclub is showcased on a late-night talk show featuring Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro). The movie frequently echoes the likes of Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy with intriguing reversals. De Niro is no longer the comic but rather the cocky host who ignores the burgeoning talent.
We see the demise of Arthur’s state of mind in such painful, authentic detail. It’s almost a voyeuristic journey deep into Arthur’s psyche that becomes crazier just like the Clown Prince of Crime he inevitably becomes.
As far as the accusations of violence are concerned, the movie is shocking and disturbing yet it balances the violence by functioning as a cautionary tale. This is what society could become if those who feel and are treated as though they are disenfranchised are ignored to the point they have no sense of hope. It’s a riveting, engrossing portrait.
As for Phoenix, his performance is exceptional in terms of his level of commitment to the character. (He even lost 52 pounds during the process of making the film). He creates a character that is a consistently fascinating portrayal of a man in pain who wanted to make the world laugh and was discarded at every turn to the point where he had no choice but to turn evil because he had no help. If he doesn’t receive an Oscar nomination, it will go down as a tremendous upset.
I admired the film in terms of its superior technical craft. Director/co-writer Todd Phillips creates a world that is filled with bleak, hopelessness at every corner and Lawrence Sher’s excellent, brooding cinematography accentuates that.
This is not a typical comic book movie and it certainly is not for children.
I was left drained. I was left disturbed. I was left exhausted. I mean all of that in a good way.
It may not put a smile on your face, but it will spark debate and that’s the best we can hope for. I hope people will see this movie for themselves and judge.
Grade: A
(Rated R for strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language and brief sexual images.)
