You Don't Get The Joke

Rating: 10/10 (6 October 2019)

Joker is a multi-layered film with many great elements put together. It's a psychological thriller and drama disguised as a comic book movie. It's something DC has done better instead of presenting a pure comic story, e.g. The Dark Knight (a crime drama) or Aquaman (action fantasy).
The first layer is one man's descent to madness. Joaquin Phoenix masterfully takes us into Arthur Fleck's journey day by day until he finally becomes the Joker. The tics, the change of personality, his liberation is so realistic. Phoenix disappears into his role and becomes Fleck. You don't see the actor anymore but the character. For this reason alone, Phoenix is deserving an Oscar already.
The second layer is the critique of society. Gotham is in shambles, everyone is out for himself, and the economy has gone south. What causes the viewers to sympathize is the lack of compassion because people like Fleck need help. In fact, I find the film a criticism on the lack of universal health care in the USA.
The third layer is the dearth of people sympathetic to Fleck. There are only 2 with one who actually lied and hurt him in past. With no support group, Fleck's condition can't be helped.
The fourth layer is the unreliable narrator Fleck is. You don't know which scenes are true. In fact, you don't even know if the entire story is true. Or is it really in Fleck's head?
Other aspects:
The cinematography creates a personal relation w/ the main character. It's in your face but not obtrusive. Everything seems like you're in the same room as Fleck.
The fifth music adds dimension to Fleck's descent. It's gloomy at first. It ends towards being menacing and frightening. It also adds to the delusion Fleck is in.
The screenplay is excellent. The story is slow at the start but goes faster towards the end. There are scenes which are frightening and tense but somehow elicit some inappropriate laughter like the door lock w/c Fleck's midget colleague can't reach.
Because I watched in a Dolby Atmos theatre, the sound was great. This was best when Fleck shoots people. It was shocking to hear a gun go off like you were in the scene.
The film's director deserves an Oscar for direction. The risky vision and concept paid off. This film makes you think because it makes you uncomfortable. Again, it's not just because of the violence inflicted upon Fleck and his pushback, but also the possibility of being a story made up in Fleck's head. You really don't get the joke.
Overall, this film deserves Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor (Brett Cullen as Thomas Wayne, despite the limited minutes), Editing, Screenplay, Cinematography, and Musical Score.