The only authentic 'surprise' is Joaquin Phoenix

Rating: 6/10 (25 December 2019)

Let me start like this... As the film evolved, the narrative spread and deepened and the character of this so-called anti-hero attained its definitive characteristics, I made a melancholy thought... What's all this about if I know where it's going to end up?
No surprises here... even if you're a Batman-lover, if that's the case, the narrative doesn't add anything new... The mentally disturbed man ends up in an 'expected' slaughterer with all the evidence and specifications of millions before him and after him. In a sense, if he is not to become what he finally was to become, we don't even have a movie.
The only surprise is Joaquin Phoenix, the Joker. This man gave everything, soul, body, morphations, sounds, glances, gestures... Everything... and built, let's say crafted a 'mental figure' that is complete, dark and morbidly sympathetic and shocking. The archetype is not, but he is.
The film suffers in many ways, especially in its rhythm that I personally found unduly slow. It was not necessary. The rhythm of the hero itself was slow enough.
I note something else I consider important when I see a movie. Phoenix's face is a place and a world. The face of all of us is the sacred geography of incarnation but for the actor it is a gift and an evil legacy at the same time. It means you're a prisoner of your own face. Well, this man has a very interesting face. Strong, aggressive and... polymorphic. Every corner differs, every turn of the head is... that's it... It's a surprise...
Beyond that... i don't know... I think nobody can dive deeper... there is no further depth... that's my point of view anyway...