This movie made me put on a happy face

Rating: 7/10 (3 November 2019)

Joaquin Phoenix turns in a chilling depiction of a mentally ill man being dragged into a life of violence and aggression thanks to a hostile society the treats him like trash. While some criticize this film for not handling classism correctly I feel like that isn't really the point, if anything it's a side plot.
The film's true focus is on how society treats the mentally ill, which is pretty on point. It shows a dark, uncaring, society in which people are needlessly cruel and rude.
The entire time I watched the film I got very nervous and felt a strong knot in my chest I hadn't felt in a theater in over a decade. I instantly remembered the last movie to make me feel this way, and it was The Dark Knight. The entire film I was on edge wondering what he's going to do and who he's going to kill.
While not quite as intelligent or dangerous as the Ledger Joker he makes for the most empathetic one.
Also, let me just say I saw this in a theater that opened recently, so there weren't any cops around. Whether or not you liked Joker, I hope we can agree that at the end of the day, it's just a movie. It felt like the media WANTED a shooting to happen just so they can cover it.
Huh. I think I remember a character from a movie eleven years ago who ALSO liked to manipulate society into violence.