HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Rating: 7/10 (14 October 2019)

Arthur Fleck is a disturbed and deeply troubled individual who gets by in the big city as a clown and stand-up comedian. A series of tragic events rupture the core of his fragile mental state and his gradual descent into the abyss is as unsettling as it is assured. Joaquin Phoenix is fine as the demented lead and lends pathos and sympathy in this portrayal of madness. Lags in some parts, ugly and grimy film that makes the movie look like it was filmed forty years ago in a bad way and a dose of pc mar what should have been a more punchier flick. There's also a lack of oomph that's necessary to fully flesh out films like this. While no classic, "Joker" somewhat lingers long after the credits fade and it's a breath of fresh air in that a dark, creepy film is both an artistic and commercial success in a time of fantasy and cartoons glutting contemporary cinema. Push your fingers on both sides of your lips and smile that blood-flecked grin.