A stunning artistic achievement - DC at its peak

Rating: 10/10 (6 October 2019)

JOKER (2019) directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Pheonix in the role of a lifetime as the titular character, is a film that explores the complexity, stigma and volatility of severe mental illness. Set in the fictional DC metropolis, Gotham City, Joker paints a nasty portrait of a damaged city, struggling with rising crime, disillusionment and 'super rats'.
Arthur Fleck is barely existing as a clown for hire, living with his elderly mother in their tiny apartment; their only relief from the tragedy of their lives is watching America's favourite late-night host, Murray Franklin (Robert DeNiro) on their old television. Arthur has delusions of grandeur, imagining himself as a successful stand-up comedian, which is ironic based on his 'condition' that elicits unprovoked and uncontrollable laughter in stressful situations. A journal contains all his dark thoughts and is littered with disturbing images and expressions of suicidal ideation.
The film depicts Arthur's descent into psychopathy, through revelations and events that call into the question the reality he was brought up with. The film may be deeply disturbing for some, particularly the scenes of graphic violence, that play out with the same level of overt intensity and clarity as the rest of the film - nothing is held back. In fact, the audience is left in a confusing state between horror and humour, since many of these disturbing scenes include brilliant moments of levity.
That's right, it's not all psychological horror, there are moments of humour that is the result of Pheonix's mannerisms and his diabolical laugh. It's a physical performance, while director Todd Phillips maintains a consistently gloomy colour palette that is broken only by the clown paint and the clown masks that show up at various points in the film.
Speaking of Pheonix, he is incredible, fully inhabiting this character and creating a genuine debate as to which Joker performance was better: him or Heath Ledger. Although such a discussion is unnecessary since they are both transcendent in their own way.
JOKER is a truly incredible artistic statement that will be remembered, revered and talked about as much as the last great DC film, The Dark Knight (2008). While I am hesitant to pump out a review immediately after seeing it once, there is no doubt I will watch it again and again and wait impatiently for the next one.
Highly, highly recommended
5/5