Director Todd Phillips
Genre Crime | Drama | Thriller
Cast Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro, Bryan Callen
Rating R
Release Date October 4th, 2019
“A failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and becomes a psychopathic murderer.”
Co-written and directed by Todd Phillips, best known for Old School, The Hangover, and War Dogs, Joker is a dark origin story of the iconic villain not seen before on the big screen. It is a gritty character study of Arthur Fleck, a man disregarded by society, and a broader cautionary tale. The bar was set VERY high by Christopher Nolan and the late Heath Ledger, so my fingers were crossed hoping this movie was able to hold up. Obviously my ass was in the theater seat opening night, so what did I think? Well let me get into that.
Joker is no joke (witty or obnoxious?), but seriously, this is a hard-hitting entry in the DC universe and as many parents learned the hard way, this is a “leave the kids at home” theater experience. Unless of course you intend to raise your kids similar to the way I was raised, complete with a blatant disregard for banning R-rated and sometimes outright unrated films, leading to a life of questionable morals and/or values (I wish I was kidding). Joker is extremely dark, and so well-acted that it is pretty much impossible to leave the theater without taking it home with you. Director Todd Phillips is given the opportunity to work with a stellar cast, and he takes full advantage of it. Joaquin Phoenix is unreal in his role as Joker, I’m talking a Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club type of performance, and not just because they both looked like Christian Bale in The Machinest.
Like most origin stories, things unfold rather slowly as you get to know the man who is essentially a protagonist and antagonist, causing audiences to root for someone who we know becomes a bad guy, but is clearly battling mental illness and has been essentially kicked to the curb over and over again by society. It really is a tug of war over how you feel about him and that speaks to the effectiveness of the writing. The film is also set in the 90’s allowing for a much more intimate feel than you would get if it were present day Gotham City (which is more or less New York, I guess). Joker is an emotional roller coaster that will keep you guessing right up until the end credits, leaving you teetering on whether you are team Joker or team Batman.
Joker reminded me of something that deep down I already knew, and that is the simple fact that Joaquin Phoenix is an incredible actor. At the very least he deserves a nomination for his performance come Oscar season, but taking one home will be tough considering the controversial content of the film. I mean I am having a hard time finding anything wrong with this movie, from the acting, to the directing, right to the score and the cinematography, it really does have it all. I felt uncomfortable during most of the pivotal scenes, by design of course, and I left the theater feeling like I sat through an experience more than just a 2-hour movie. I need to try and see this a second time sooner than later because of the fact that the depth of the emotion expressed by Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker is almost too much to take in the first time around. This is quality filmmaking.
I’m getting off topic for a second but I feel like it needs to be said, the pre-release backlash over the films violent content is an absolute joke, simple as that. It is nothing more than a group of pathetic losers (most of which are probably jobless with nothing better to do) throwing a hissy fit because violence makes them uncomfortable. Well guess what? WHO CARES!! I mean seriously, find a hobby like maybe knitting or bracelet making and stop trying to sabotage the film industry. You are unhappy with your lives blah blah we get it, but stop trying to take away our fun.
Above all else, Joker is the epitome of a gritty origin story, depressing and dark as all hell but an origin story nonetheless, and will send viewers home from the theater chomping at the bit to throw on Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins as a buildup to the incredible Dark Knight films. Sadly we won’t be getting a sequel, and not just because Todd Phillips absolutely sucks at making sequels (imagine a world where we only had one The Hangover movie…), but because it’s just not necessary. Joker is absolute origin story gold and should become the benchmark for other films that dare to blend real-life issues and fantasy. Once you see this movie, you will be properly introduced to the tortured soul that is Arhur Fleck, AKA Joker. Highly Recommended.
FUN FACT: Director Todd Phillips, who broke out with the film Road Trip nearly two-decades ago and followed that up with the comedic masterpiece Old School, has made a few cameos in his films. Most will remember him as the guy who knocks on the front door in the beginning of Old School after Luke Wilson stumbles upon his wife’s infidelity, and as Wilson opens the door Phillips mutters the iconic words “I’m here for the gang bang”. Classic.
