Brilliant and Grim Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (1 November 2019)

In recent years, superhero movies have filled the theaters. This film is unlike any of them. Gritty and realistic it's label as dangerous by the media is well-deserved. This is not because of excessive violence but rather, it is because Arthur Fleck is such a relatable and sympathetic character for so many people.
He's not a full-blown psychotic nor is he a calculated psychopath. He is a generally polite, lonely and isolated guy who is in that in between. He's healthy enough to work a job but not healthy enough to thrive or excel. His head is just barely above water, so to speak. His unraveling throughout the movie has less to do with a worsening illness like schizophrenia and more to do with the realistic actions of the society around him.
By brilliantly using an accurate depiction of society's actions as a mechanism for his development, it creates a story that rings true. It also creates a deeply sympathetic and almost justified character. Unlike Heath Ledger's agent of chaos Joker, this Joker is fighting against a society that has genuinely failed and mistreated him (and so many others, as the ending shows).
All in all, I would say this movie was a masterpiece. It explained a realistic and interesting backstory for a character who is really part of the fabric of American culture. It also highlighted a very overlooked segment of society and looked at real issues that they are facing.