Masterpiece in storytelling and character study that will leave you deeply unsettled

Rating: 10/10 (3 October 2019)

Watched the premiere last night in local theatre and while I did go in with a lots of high expectations, I can honestly say that they were completely fulfilled, perhaps maybe in a different way from what I anticipated. This is a movie that the media pants as shocking and disturbing, but wouldn't necessarily say it like that. Perhaps it is to those who think our reality is very different from the one in Gotham City, or that there aren't many people like Arthur Fleck in this world.
I would much rather paint this film as an deeply unsettling. It's not entirely possible for me to put in words how it felt while watching it; towards the end, more and more nervous, deeply anxious to the point where I didn't know if it was because of the movie or something more than that.
There isn't much to say about Joakim Phoenix' performance that hasn't been said yet. Just wow. There aren't words that would do justice to his performance. At this point I don't even care if he gets an Oscar for this, because he transcended the credibility that award (still) has. I cannot even imagine the mental straight, self-consciousness, talent and hard work it takes to pull a role like this and make it so natural and organic. Portraying an already established characters, especially culturally iconic ones such as Joker, is already hard, but having the story centred around psychological development and transition from point A to point B, is just terrifically complex. I can only say bravo to Mr. Phoenix and hope he is aware he reached the highest of the hights.
It shouldn't be fair not to mention Robert DeNiro, who also carried his supporting role amazing, making every second he was on screen count. All other actors gave strong performances as well, and because of them the story felt even more authentic and organic.
Applause to Todd Philip's, to every single person involved, because they truly made something original and magnificent. The cinematography is impeccable, sound mixing, music, photography, directing, I mean, everything that is to a film, just perfect.
Masterclass in storytelling. Magnificent psychological study of a character and interaction between individual and society. A must see.
I kinda wish they continue the story just so I could watch more of Joakim as Joker and Gotham through eyes of Todd Phillips, but this move is so good that it does not deserve to be followed by anything more. It should stand in all its glory alone.
(On a side note, how the heck does this movie has 62 score on Metacritic and Ad Astra, while very solid and beautiful movie, has a score of 80?)