Jokin (Joaquin) all the way

Rating: 9/10 (16 November 2019)

From the first shot onwards, you're drawn into the world of Arthur Fleck. The slow descent into the madness, the history in his family, the world thats constantly pushing you and finally, when he snaps, the feeling of liberation. The music is a fantastic accompaniment to the mood of the film as Arthur from being pushed against the world, breaks free and takes control of his life, albeit in a manner thats totally destructive. Joaquin Phoenix is phenomenal. Up against the obvious comparison to the benchmarks set by Heath Ledger, Jaoquin holds his own and sets the stage for the origins story. Obviously, the two story arcs don't exactly match but the narrative is close and the mood is soberly set. There aren't the typical Marvel/ DC movie large action sets and mayhem taking place with the camera moving all over the place. The movie is set closer to the characters, showcasing the flaws, cracks and choices one makes - either by design or by forced by circumstances larger than yourself. This year, no other actor has done something this remarkable and clearly, this is the year of recognition for Joaquin. It is a joke that is having the last laugh.