Joker shows a thoughtful, almost painfully honest and provocative perspective into the social and political problems society faces today.
The intense, character-driven and thematically ambitious project is unlike much of the modern comic book movie genre. The green screen and special effects are left behind, the sun beaming jokes are also forgotten. What we are left with is an uncompromisingly moving origin story.
With references to Scorsese’s 1970s and early 80s work, Joker takes us on a tragic journey into the mind of a man surrounded by rejection, humiliation and pain. The director, Todd Phillips, best known for writing and directing comedy movies like The Hangover Trilogy, has created a dark psychological thriller with political importance.
In fact, the presence of Thomas Wayne does not only draw a parallel with Batman’s origin story. It also creates an influential Trump figure, which is completely different from the warm-hearted billionaire avid comic book readers had known.
In the movie, Joaquin Phoenix inhabits the identity of Arthur Fleck to its core. He portrays a struggling introvert who lives with his mother and feels as if society is preying on him. His life is transforming in a circus of cruelty and injustice and all he can do is laugh.
The painstaking movie does not only give us a gradual build-up to Arthur’s transformation into the Joker, but it also shows Gotham’s reflection of his mental decay. As a result, the movie weirdly makes the audience sympathise with a nihilistic criminal.
Joaquin’s performance is Oscar-worthy. He captures the iconic king of chaos’s laughter and his body language fits perfectly within the character’s self-loathing.
The cinema audience were utterly captivated. I highly recommend this cinematography masterpiece and an eye-opener of a movie.
Joker, R-rated and 122 minutes long, is now playing in UK theatres.
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