This Joker is Wild

Rating: 9/10 (25 October 2019)

GRADE: B+
THIS FILM IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
IN BRIEF: A terrific performance by Joaquin Phoenix makes this psychological thriller all the more memorable.
JIM'S REVIEW: Going into Todd Phillip's Joker, I expected an origin tale about a super villain with standard comic book action, well choreographed stunt work, and enough CGI and explosions to cause any fanboy to fall into a stupor. I was greatly surprised and totally wrong!
Instead, the film is a thoughtful examination of mental illness and also a thoroughly riveting psychological study of this iconic madman. The screenplay, by the director and Scott Silver, follows the mythology of DC Universe and its characters faithfully, with some added asides to their plot that seem more like a classy Martin Scorsese film than the typical comic book action fantasy genre. (This approach might disappoint the movie's younger target audience, but it had the opposite effect on this reviewer.)
The movie aims to be much more in its depiction of a damaged man wanting to change the damaged world. This villain's method to his madness remains unhinged and savage, a product as cold and deliberate as the unforgiving society in which he exists. We go through each twist and turn on his journey toward insanity.
Joker is the making of a murderer on a grand scale. Visually, Mr. Phillips skillfully delivers a film that is stunning to behold, from Lawrence Sher's stark use of chiaroscuro cinematography with vivid color and dramatic lighting to 's 60's meets 80's retro production design of a decaying Gotham. Add to that, the concise editing by Jeff Groth and Hildur Guðnadóttir's atonal music score that sets the ominous tone for the action on display.
As the story unfolds, the film goes out of its way to make the title character, Arthur Fleck (aka Joker), all too sympathetic to moviegoers. This loser has been so abused by society and is literally beaten down by everyone in his orbit. The odds are against him. He just can't win. One can only pity this man. Yet, do these acts of violence justify his harmful actions? The film wants us to believe so. In fact, the movie downplays the Joker's murderous spree to any victim other than those who are cruel or mean-spirited. This is revenge fantasy, plain and simple. The filmmakers seem to say that the bad deserve his wrath.
As Arthur plunges further into the madness that is known as Joker, the killings too becomes gorier and justify vigilantism and violence. This is a major misstep in storytelling, and a tad dishonest in its plot structure, as are some of his delusions which are not being clearly established as real or imaginary scenes. The blur between illusion and reality remains a enigma. Still the film continually intrigues with its edgy style, top-notch production values, and an astonishing performance by Joaquin Phoenix that demands to be seen.
One would hope that Mr. Phoenix's performance merits Oscar consideration. The actor creates a character that is so operatic and over-the-top which adds to the enjoyment of this drama. His Joker has all of the signature moves that are even more troubling and pronounced than in previous interpretations. He gives his character so much complexity and angst with a hint of desperation. His high pitched laughter, graceful posturing, and exaggerated movement help to create a mesmerizing presence. His painted clown mask is wore well in order to hide all of the torment bubbling up inside. It is a revelation, an acting tour-de-force that will be long remembered.
Providing strong support are Robert DeNiro channeling his The King of Comedy heydays as talk show host Murray Franklin, Glenn Fleshler as Arthur's belligerent co-worker, Brett Cullen as corrupt millionaire Thomas Wayne, and Frances Conroy as Arthur's sickly mother.
Joker is not your ordinary comic book story of a megalomaniac and his conquest for fame. It is a complex and disturbing character study with an extraordinary star turn at its dark and heartless core.