Review: Joker

An origin story, “Joker” follows Arthur Fleck, a stand-up comedian who turns to a life of crime in Gotham City. Our J.P. reviews Joaquin Phoenix’s psychological thriller.

JOAQUIN PHOENIX as Joker
JOAQUIN PHOENIX as Joker in Warner Bros. Pictures, Village. Photo by: Nikos Tavernise Roadshow Pictures and BRON Creative’s “JOKER,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

“Joker”
Warner Bros. Pictures

  • Opens wide: Friday, October 4, 2019
  • MPAA Rating: R for “strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language and brief sexual images”
  • Run Time: 122 minutes

Studio Synopsis:
Forever alone in a crowd, Arthur Fleck seeks connection. Yet, as he trods the sooted Gotham City streets and rides the graffitied mass transit rails of a hostile town teeming with division and dissatisfaction, Arthur wears two masks. One, he paints on for his day job as a clown. The other he can never remove; it’s the guise he projects in a futile attempt to feel he’s a part of the world around him, and not the misunderstood man whom life is repeatedly beating down. Fatherless, Arthur has a fragile mother, arguably his best friend, who nicknamed him Happy, a moniker that’s fostered in Arthur a smile that hides the heartache beneath. But, when bullied by teens on the streets, taunted by suits on the subway, or simply teased by his fellow clowns at work, this social outlier only becomes even more out of sync with everyone around him.

Directed, co-written and produced by Todd Phillips, “Joker” is the filmmaker’s original vision of the infamous DC villain, an origin story infused with, but distinctly outside, the character’s more traditional mythologies. Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck, who is indelibly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, is of a man struggling to find his way in Gotham’s fractured society. Longing for any light to shine on him, he tries his hand as a stand-up comic, but finds the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cyclical existence between apathy and cruelty and, ultimately, betrayal, Arthur makes one bad decision after another that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty, allegorical character study.

J.P.’s TAKE:
The DCEU (DC Extended Universe) is in a state of revitalization as “Joker” is proof of their hard earned efforts.

We’ve always known the Joker to be a pinnacle baddie. One who bares the qualities of being highly intelligent and diabolical, thus making him a formidable foe. Yet, there hasn’t been a deep dive of the character presented on the big screen quite like this. No longer are we watching comic book fodder per se, instead we’re invited to be part of an awakening of sorts. “Joker” is played up as a drama paired with dark comical undertones and an unsettling outcome. I don’t mean that in the sense that it’s unwatchable, for, in fact, your full attention will be required. This is a creepily spun tale that touches on today’s social climate of civil unrest between the have and have nots. One, in which political biases play a huge role in the disruption of community, making it the perfect backdrop for our villain to be unveiled.

JOAQUIN PHOENIX as Arthur Fleck in “Joker”
JOAQUIN PHOENIX as Arthur Fleck in “Joker,” from Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and BRON Creative. A Warner Bros. Pictures release.

“Joker” surrounds Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a disturbed individual with seemingly good intentions, who feels the weight of the world bearing down on his shoulders. When that snapping point arrives, however, it results in anarchic events. With that, a following of other unhinged individuals riding Fleck’s coats tails — believing him to their savior. Yet, drama blends into fantasy because we’re not sure if this is another fever dream brought on by psychosis or if he’s come to a moment of clarity. Delusions of grandeur kick in and he believes himself to be a likeable clown. One who is a stellar comedian that triumphs over the crowd with his winning personality. The sad part you’ll find is that in reality the joke is mostly on him.

ZAZIE BEETZ as Sophie Dumond in "Joker"
ZAZIE BEETZ as Sophie Dumond

Watching Phoenix under the guise of Arthur Fleck is a pleasure. Phoenix dances and twists his limbs and face as though he were Fred Astaire. That moment when you think he’s at his craziest, you find that his nervous ticks disappear and his true character starts to formulate.

The script, cleverly written and directed by Todd Phillips and co-written by Scott Silver, has viewers on edge. It’s a slow burner in the beginning fraught with tension and churning with dark humor. You know you want to laugh, yet, when witnessing the tragic life of a failed comedian with mental issues; you can’t help but to feel sympathy – even guilt for Fleck. Poignancy also makes its way into the mix. When Fleck’s deep seeded demons finally surface, we’re plunged into the chaotic world in which he lives.

Kudos to Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, and Brett Cullen in their respective roles of TV host Murray Franklin, love interest Sophie Dumond, Fleck’s mother Penny Fleck and billionaire philanthropist Thomas Wayne. All have done an outstanding job of keeping this drama/thriller alive.

“Joker” is a character study of a deeply scarred, flawed somewhat disturbed every man whose rise to villainy is made full. In the interim, there is a connection to the “Dark Knight” film series. Nicely played by DC as “Joker” is gripping and exhilarating near the end.

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