Masterpiece

Rating: 9/10 (6 October 2019)

This is not your typical comic book movie. In fact it couldn't be further from it. This is a very different take on one of the most iconic film/comic book characters in history. And does it deliver? Absolutely, it's so good. A brilliant character peice.
Thoroughly deserving of it's rating, Joker is a dark and twisted origin story with a no holds barred depiction of mental illness and a complete unravelling of the human mind. Hard to show this in 2 hours but the film delivers this incredibly well. You really feel Jokers pain. Much of this is due to Jacquin Phoenix. He will surely win an Oscar for his role. He's in every scene and crushes it. I never thought anybody could get near Heath Ledgers performance but I believe he's done it. Of course Heath never got the chance to play the Joker in his own movie so hard to compare. Until Ledger, I thought most depictions were too camp but his and especially this one is more of what I'd expect. Joker is severely deranged, dangerous and he shows it here.
As for the plot we see Arthur Fleck aka The Joker living at home with mum struggling with work, relationships and life in general. From here his life spirals out of control and eventually the Joker is born. I won't go into specifics but in between the magic just happens.
There is not a heap of violence but what's there is gritty, bloody and dark unlike anything I've seen from DC.
Directed by Todd Phillip's who is best known for comedies like the Hangover. He's done an amazing job here and an Oscar may come his way also.
One small issue I have is the chronology with Bruce Wayne who is 11 in this but Joker seems to be mid forties. I always just assumed they were of similar age? I'm sure the magic of film will correct this.
They simply must follow this film up in the Batman franchise and pit this version of Joker with Batman. Boy will that be awesome and I'll be first in line for a ticket.
Other reviews have been similar to this one but go see for yourself, you won't be disappointed
9/10
Masterpiece