When/where is this film worth watching?

Rating: 7/10 (6 October 2019)

In this modern age of streaming and with a multitude of content available, taking the time and money to go to the cinema can seem like an unnecessary outing when so much else is readily available. If you're anything like me then your cinema trips nowadays, are limited to the big blockbusters (or kids films, for those that have) to make use of the big screen and sound, that you can't get in your own home.
With that in mind my take on this retelling origin story of Batman's biggest nemesis is as follows:
Firstly, it might be obvious from all the hype surrounding the film that this is not a comic book movie, those expecting that will be very disappointed. Instead Joker takes a look into the real life reasons why a normal man with mental health issues might become the bigger than life villain. Joaquin Phoenix Plays Arthur Fleck, a deeply troubled man trying make ends meet to support himself and his frail mother. Arthur has a condition that makes him laugh uncontrollably during times of distress and thus is and outcast of society. With this condition coupled with depression and a traumatic childhood, Arthur finds work in the only place he can as a clown for hire. The city of Gotham is in complete disarray, with it's people getting more and more violent towards its government and it's here where the two story lines intersect, giving a deep dark and sometimes very real account of wether it is nature or nurture that creates such people.
It's certainly true that Joaquin Phoenix goes all in with the crazy, his performance is very 'I am Sam', if you get the Tropic Thunder reference. His body alone shows the dedication he's put into his performance, looking very malnourished and sickly. The plot itself stays grounded and doesn't take unimaginable leaps with it's audience.
My issue is that this story and Phoenix's portrayal seem a bit reminiscent of other movies, there's a certain early Nicholas Cage quality about the more mad side of the character. It felt like the story was almost damaged by the expectation of 'The Joker' as a character or even it's comic book links. I left feeling that had it just been the same story and portrayal, but without it's links to Batman or the Joker it may have faired better.
Answering my initial statement, it feels a lot of hard work and effort went into this movie and Phoenix is definitely engrossing to watch at times. However, I think I would've preferred watching this in the comfort of my own home and that it didn't deserve a cinema viewing.