FANTASTIC

Rating: 10/10 (6 October 2019)

Joker (2019) delivers a masterclass of acting by Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck and tells a deep and meaningful narrative in relation to society today. Joaquin Phoenix allows the audience to not only understand and empathise with the character 'Joker', but to also feel repulsed by some of the extreme actions he takes. When critics compare it to Heath Ledger, or downplay Joaquin Phoenix's character as an incel or angry white guy, they are sorely mistaken and most likely misunderstood the narrative of the film. Heath Ledger's Joker was a brilliant take on the character but you must understand that the 2019 Joker is introduced in a more psychologically engaging manner, where we are able to directly see Arthur's life before he became the joker. Whereas in the Dark Knight, the audience is only able to see the Joker post origin. If you think about it, the Dark Knight's joker has had many years to perfect his violent strategies, but Joaquin Phoenix's Joker is quite literally about the beginning of he Joker and what caused it.
Put it simply, comparing the two Jokers would be unnecessary and irrelevant as they are focusing on the character in completely different parts of their lives.
No need to attack the film because it felt uncomfortable and real, this film was designed with that in mind and to make the audience think long and hard about the society they live in, including mental illness in contemporary society.