Affecting, dark and timely film, with superb cast; would have been perfect if ending kept short and "bitter-sweet"

Rating: 8/10 (26 October 2019)

There's no surprise in the plot. What draws audience is the acting and timely theme of social equity and senseless crimes. The film suggested the causes and the ending seemed to portray Joker in a triumphant way - I gave the writers benefit of the doubt; that this ending was meant to show the ironic turn of Arthur from being an unwanted comedian who liked to cheer people young and old, to being accepted and even followed as a villain-vigilante. I would have given it 9~10 if the film ended in the night scene, but it dragged into more scenes inside a hospital which felt redundant to us sympathetic audience.
The film message to me is not about provoking civil unrest and violent rampage. I see the story as a cautionary tale about missed opportunities for society to come together especially during difficult and uncertain times. Give, not take; trust, not judge. Peace.