Beautifully shot... if a little coincidental

Rating: 7/10 (10 October 2019)

Beautifully shot with excellent lighting, this film certainly goes all out on visual pleasures. Joaquin phoenix puts on a strong performance as Joker, taking influences from The Machinist and Taxi Driver. Music score is done really well and they don't force Gotham down your throat - it's clear that this is its own film.
Unfortunately, the film felt a little "too good to be real" - With lots of "coincidental" plot elements to establish the Joker, I found myself rolling my eyes a little and saying, "C'mon, really?". Perhaps this could have been avoided if the film was a two-parter? But other than that, an enjoyable experience.