I have got to start ignoring the hoopla about "controversial" films.

Rating: 9/10 (1 January 2020)

Just watched "Joker" and I realized I have got to start ignoring criticisms around "controversial" films. Like Jojo Rabbit, Joker was getting criticized for things that have nothing to do with what is on the screen. I was hesitant about it because after some reviews I imagined it would be full of the moral relativism that imo, tainted Zac Snyder's "Watchmen", (and which HBO recently corrected.) But Joker is magnificent. What some were calling nihilism, I saw as a warning. Like the "joke" Phoenix tells DiNero before a critical moment: "What do you get when you cross a mentally ill loner with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash?"... What you deserve.". That single line encapsulates the fundamental theme of the film. Wonderfully acted and directed. Dark, yes, very dark... and unrelenting about that. But it's beautifully subversive. Not nihilistic. There's a difference. I think it's on par with V For Vendetta in that regard. Sort of V meets Travis Bickle. It's a great continuation of the trend of deconstruction of superhero archetypes. I particularly loved the re-framing of Thomas Wayne from the comic's heroic billionaire philanthropist, into a Bloomberg-esque entitled mayoral wanna-be with a mouth full of the standard trickle-down nonsense. And I must admit Joaquin Phoenix truly does deserve best lead actor. He is truly captivating and frightening. The direction, editing, superb. The ironic use of music didn't come off as trite or manipulative as, imo, it did in Scorsese, Irishman. To be honest, I am still biased towards 'Jojo Rabbit' for best picture. That film is closer to my heart. But Joker is a powerful piece of work, and I won't see it as a crime if it wins. (If Once Upon A Time in Hollywood or The Irishman take the trophy, I would see that as a rip off because both are overrated, imo. Good, meticulous and all that... but overrated.)