Decade defining masterpiece. Anything short of an Oscar would be a disservice.

Rating: 9/10 (10 October 2019)

I came into the theater expecting to be a bit disappointed. Seeing people in droves rate this movie as a masterpiece made me think this would be another overblown DC flick but my low expectations were put to shame. This is a film that is unlike anything i have seen in the past years. This is a visceral, haunting film that will be very difficult to forget. My eyes were practically glued to the screen. I didn't want to miss a single detail. Seeing Arthur Fleck's transformation into the Clown Prince of Gotham is downright masterful. I cannot recall character development done so effectively, yet realistically. You comprehend Fleck's motives, even if you don't agree with the harsh extent to which he takes them. You see how society could craft such an individual. How our society could isolate and destroy an Arthur Fleck. Although Fleck has mental issues, within the first half of the film he wishes to cause no harm and only wants to follow his dream to make people laugh. Of course the majority of credit has to go to Joaquin Phoenix. His work is tremendous. The laugh, the mannerisms. Phoenix portrays Fleck like a real person. A tormented person who has received much trauma over his life, and how a series of unfortunate events finally cause him to snap. How he tried to smile through the pain until the pain made him smile. It's a brilliant performance that deserves every award across the board. I never thought someone could come close to Ledger's work, but Phoenix possibly surpasses Ledger. I could go into great detail about the terrific music choices, the score, the cinematography which captures Gotham oh so well, the directing, and even De Niro's work. Everything clicked. There's no false not. It built to a such a powerful climax i had goosebumps among a crowded theater. This is a decade defining film, and one unlike anything you'll see again in quite some time. Let's hope the Oscars do the right thing.