Rotten Tomatoes Doesn't Know What a Film Is

Rating: 10/10 (14 October 2019)

I'm going to be blunt: I initially only went to see this film because I had heard it was "problematic". Of course I am also a fan of DC comics, but due to their more recent film titles, I will admit I did not expect much.

That's when I was blown away.

The story is immaculate. The development of Arthur as a character through direction and script is one thing, and on that alone you could call it an incredible film. But the in-your-face vivid performance by Joaquin Phoenix proves that this is beyond "another comic book movie". Lighting and camerawork are masterful, giving the viewer a look into how dirty and evil Gotham is in a physical and metaphorical sense. Sickly green lighting lets the viewing audience see the decaying city through Arthur's eyes, and this makes every action taken by him not only extremely "real", but it makes even the most vile crime sympathetic.
As far as film events go, it's an extremely plausible story. If I were to see a police report on the news tonight about a man with a mental condition dressed as a clown starting riots across NYC, I would absolutely believe it. This is NOT an "over the top comic movie". This is a film that yanks you into the very real, dangerous world of mental illness. Viewing the world through the eyes of Arthur, knowing what he has been through, understanding the psychology around his situation, he is a very easy character to sympathize with.
In conclusion, this is likely the greatest, most impactful film I have seen in ten years. Of course, this is an R-rated film, so do not fool yourself with the subject matter; this movie is NOT for children. That said, this is a must see film. Don't let media-based reviews fool you, this movie is a masterpiece, and deserves to be seen by anybody with an appreciation for a good film.