A masterclass in acting nothing more

Rating: 5/10 (5 October 2019)

I don't often review movies but as an avid movie goer I just can't see what the fuss is about.
Movies are made to entertain and enrich, bring joy, elation and all the emotions that human beings are capable of.
The Joker does none of this.
True it is a masterclass in acting and Phoenix truly is superb but as a piece of film entertainment it falls very short.
It lumbers along for too long trying to build a picture of a broken man who finally snaps and in today's society that really could be anyone.
Everyone is stressed, times are hard and it doesn't take much to push someone to the edge.
The flashes of what will eventually become the Joker as we know him are very far and few between and in these moments between the movie languishes into a portrait of self pity.
Great acting. Great actor. Not a great movie.