Joker: Film Review

Synopsis

Joker tells the story of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a clown-for-hire and an aspiring stand-up comedian. A series of unfortunate events sets in motion a derailing of his sanity. Joker chronicles his deeply disturbing descent into madness,

Review

Let me start by saying that I went into the movie with very high expectations (the rave reviews out of Venice and its win of the Golden Lion at Venice, to be exact). When I left, they had been met, exceeded, obliterated, crushed, and all of the above. This film is phenomenal. There’s a certain level of nuance shown here only seen in the most affecting and disturbing chatter character-driven dramas. The amount of artistry and care put into this film is very apparent (and shocking considering Todd Phillips is known for the Hangover trilogy). This film is very much of-its-time. Although the film is set in 1981, the parallels to today are so present, you're almost slapped in the face with it. Technically, this film shines (probably more so than other ways). I have to applaud the team behind the scenes, specifically Lawrence Sher (cinematography), Hildur Guðnadóttir (score), and Mark Friedberg (production design). Sher's cinematography and Friedberg's production design both help to create the grim, disturbing, and poetic that surrounds and, quite frankly, IS this film. And OH MY GOD the score by (I'm not even gonna try; look up) is chilling, but beautiful. I think that the score actually represents the film in its essence: progressively haunting and aggressive, yet rhythmic and purposeful. This film is very tense and eerie. There is a level of sustained tension that the film excellently maintains. In fact, this is probably one of the most tense experiences I've had in a theater in a minute. Also, as an aside, this film has a sick sense of humor (that locked door), like the Joker himself. Speaking of tension, I cannot end this review without talking about the marvel that is Joaquin Phoenix's performance. The other supporting cast members, I felt, were limp (with the exceptions of Robert De Niro and Frances Conroy) and all only serve the purpose of enhancing Phoenix's performance. But, this performance is one of, if not, THE best performances of the year (so far, of course, but the bar is high). He delivers a performance that, in a way, could make people sympathetic towards the Joker (and make people do things that are very apropos for this day in age, if you follow what I'm saying). Phoenix is so real and gritty in this performance, that it's hard to imagine that Johnny Cash is killin' folk. Now, I will say in regards to the Ledger vs. Phoenix debate, that while Ledger takes it, he only takes it by juuuuuuust that much.