Joker [2019] by Todd Phillips
I'm not much of a fan of superhero movies so I went into Joker with fairly low expectations. I was wrong. This was a dark and disturbing film that explores the nexus between mental illness and the pathology rampant in an unforgiving and corrupt society. Gotham is portrayed as looking and feeling like 80s NYC, the New York I grew up in. The iconic steps Joaquin Phoenix can be seen dancing on are in The Bronx at 167th Street near Jerome Avenue. The performance by Phoenix will be remembered for a long time. The film looks and sounds great. It has an intimate and somewhat indie feel at times. I was at a pre-release screening (by one day) and Director Todd Phillips was there for a Q& A. He discussed how the feel on the set was very unique and unlike a Hollywood film and they often had the score playing and let Phoenix improvise his movements and actions. I would also note that there is an extended homage to another classic psychodrama set in New York City - The King of Comedy. This film is special. I might even go see it again.
that's a lot of movie goin'.
I haven't seen it yet but from what I read about the movie a couple of months ago, Phoenix's Joker is a sort of proto-Joker. That is, this Arthur Fleck Joker character is supposed to serve as inspiration for the actual Joker that becomes Batman's arch-nemesis. No idea if they will actually tie anything in from this movie into the DCEU or start another DC cinematic universe from this. Personally, I can't wait to see this movie and take it for what it is.
from beginning to end, this movie had me wanting more. This gave us the mind of a notorious villain that we didn’t understand. It gave us the true modern day look at a psychotic city going to shit and a man that was crazy enough to come to terms with his insanity. It’s insane how Phoenix commanded your attention in each scene he was in.
and to echo what others have said, the score had you feeling the madness throughout the film. The Score has you going through the motions with anyone in the film.
if I were Warner Bros, I would open the checkbook to Todd and anyone associated with this film. I saw Bradley Cooper produced it so even get him on board. This is what separates DC from Marvel. They can do these types with real world consequences.
funny tidbits, Martha and Thomas Wayne died in the alley way I walk through everyday to take the train to NY. Also, the theater they were filming was also in Jersey city. There is where I saw Batman so long ago.
Best Movie this year.
And the fact it utterly annihilated box office records this weekend would suggest DC would certainly be open to it. No idea how that'd work though with the story.
A hockey anthem of the 70s 80s 90s shunned away by society because of the heinous crimes of its creator yet the familiar triumphant tune seems to sync perfectly with the birth of this new evil maniac.
I much prefer uplifting movies my self.
I just thought the movie was tedious. It is one thing to document a person’s descent into madness it is quite another to do so effectively and while entertaining audiences. I thought they did effectively it just wasn’t all that entertaining. The story line was thin and it repeated the same points over and over. I thought Joaquin Phoenix was excellent but the movie overall just was to depressing and to really say hey I enjoyed that 2 hours. There are plenty of depressing, gritty stories that are also entertaining, this just wasn’t one of them.
It drew out some laughs from the audience at things they might not normally laugh at or they would, but wouldn't admit to it (The door lock scene & knock knock joke in particular). That was pretty clever.
The only thing I didn't like is a thought it was a bit to on the nose with some of the plot points/motivations and there was a little too much hand holding for the audience in the final act during the Murray Show scene. Joker was a little too aware of his craziness and too direct with his explanation. "Show. Don't tell." would have worked better here to me.
I much prefer uplifting movies my self.
This kinda scares me that people are being conditioned to think this way. Do you know how many villains over the years have been glorified? Patrick Bateman. Anton Sugar... and you know.. the Joker multiple times to name a few? It doesn't glorify anything. In fact, if anything, it shows how we as a society can do a better job supporting the mentally ill, the disenfranchised, and the ostracized to help them be better parts of society instead of helping them come to the conclusion that society itself is the enemy. I think that's an apolitical statement.
The unrest is unwarranted. The rise in violent crime dramatically increased in the 60's when the news started covering it aggressively and violence became a path to relevance for many. This is just a great movie that shines a light on the corner of our world no one wants to look at.