A defenitive masterpiece propelled by a once in a lifetime performance by Joaquin phoenix

Rating: 10/10 (2 October 2019)

The opening sequence shows a group of street children picking on a helpless Joaquin phoenix. They proclaim that he is weak and beat him up. That's is exactly what is wrong with society. Be it the society in today's times or earlier times, bullying and picking on the weaker sections are constantly persistent and not being spoken of many a times. Joker is ridiculed, constantly bullied and picked upon which brings about a Change in him. The society has never cared for people with mental illness and quite simply neglects them. The gritty portrayal of the society in its real way is a great job done by direction and writing.
Lawrence sher gives a cinematography which engages you and at the same time makes you wary of every little detail. The movement of the camera to cover the dance sequences of Joaquin phoenix is poetry in motion. The long shots intensely zoomed in on the joker gives us time to channelise and compartmentalize the feelings of those on screen.
Robert de Niro plays Franklin Murphy which is almost the continuation of his role from the ending sequences of The King of comedy (1982). He represents everything the materialistic society which is comfortable with doses of fun and not caring for the real problem existing in the outside world.
The film is haunting and stays with you quite sometime. This is mainly due to the theme it tackles and also partly because of its heart pounding music. The writing of the film says That "Society makes the man " and not the opposite which is usually said.
This film will surely stand the test of time and emerge as one of the greatest character studies made on a comicbook character. Heath ledger would definitely be smiling from the heavens.