Joker

UK Release Date: 04 October 2019

Certification: 15

Director: Todd Phillips

Cast: Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Robert De Niro, Joaquin Phoenix

Rating: 92%

"Smile, though your heart is aching."

Review:

Joker tells the origin story of Arthur Fleck who through the tribulations of society becomes the Joker. It's brilliant use of the unreliable narrator leaves you thinking about what truly happened for weeks to come. 

There's only one place to start when talking about Joker and that's Joaquin Phoenix - It's his movie. His performance is one of the greatest that I've ever seen and he's still no where near as good as Heath Ledger was. I think he just about deserved his Oscar over Matt Damon for Ford v Ferrari - who somehow neither him or Christian Bale received a nomination for their roles. It's uncomfortable to look at Arthur, he's so lean but so menacing - I can totally buy his descent into madness and depression. To top it all of the make up is superb and I really enjoyed his costume. 

I thought Todd Phillips did a great job at developing the setting. Gotham is much grimier than in the Dark Knight trilogy. The city is almost it's own character trying to compress and constrict Arthur.

Joker thoroughly warrants the 15 certification even though disappointingly it did mean I couldn't see it in the cinema. The gorey and graphic action suits both the story Joker is trying to tell and the character itself. There are many murders throughout the movie and all of them are impactful and meaningful whilst still showing the superb action that is expected in every comic book movie these days. 

My favourite aspect of Joker, other than Joaquin Phoenix's performance, is the terrific score. Hildur Guðnadóttir rightfully won an Oscar for her ominous score with 'Call Me Joker' standing out at being able to create that menacing and chaotic nature that has become synonymous with the Joker. I also felt the song choice was excellent. With Frank Sinatra's 'That's Life', Sinatra's 'Send in the Clowns' and Jimmy Durante's 'Smile' all being very on the nose, but they did stick in my head and all complimented Joker superbly. 

I don't really have any particular negatives with Joker but I would briefly like to discuss the controversy leading up to and following the movie's release. Many cinemas were afraid that the movie would start a violent movement as viewers felt it easy to sympathise with Arthur's plunge into hatred because of society. And really that's what the movie looks at. Whilst it can act as a terrific origin story, for my personal favourite movie villain, Joker is more of a commentary on today's society and how bad we treat others. Realistically, someone could become a Joker-like figure because of the mistreatment of minorities and people who are less fortunate - which is why the cinemas were a little wary of the movie's response from audiences. Ultimately, the controversy and fear came to nothing as Joker went on to become the first ever certificate 15 movie to gross one billion dollars worldwide, whilst also taking home a total of two Oscars. 

Overall, Joker is a terrific but different take on the comic book genre. I don't believe that it's too rewatchable due to it's disturbing nature and sombre tones but I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it.