A descent into madness

Rating: 10/10 (13 October 2019)

This is brilliant, but disturbing film-making.
Joaquin Phoenix gives an amazing performance as a man being beaten into madness, rather than heading there under his own steam. As such, the film treads a delicate line between feeling pity for Arthur Fleck (Joker), being repulsed and disturbed by him and rooting for him to succeed in his twisted ambitions.
When watching this film, pay attention to Fleck's body language. Observe how, in the comedy club, he doesn't laugh when every else does, and laughs when no-one else does. It is this subtle attention to detail which raises the level of this film.
If this wasn't a "superhero" based movie, it would be guaranteed awards. But coming from comic book source material, I suspect that it will be largely ignored come awards season.
Go and see this movie. It is definitely getting crazier out there!