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Rating: 9/10 (7 October 2019)

There are many things that are great about Joker, not the least of which is that it would be just as good if the character wasn't the Joker but anyone else. At the same time, the film takes well-thought liberties with the characters it borrows. The eternal portrayal of Thomas Wayne as a benevolent, almost saintly billionnaire seems completely out of date, while Joker's choice of making him an obnoxious, egomaniac, out of touch capitalist is much more realistic. Similarly, toying with the idea that Arthur is the brother of Bruce Wayne seems fitting - though this whole framework is a bit cliched, so it is best that the film leaves the issue open.
For me, equally important is that even though the character is portrayed in sympathetic light, there remains no doubt he is a villain. So any concerns that the film could act as an apology for mass shooters, incels or whatever else are misguided - understanding how people are driven off the edge is not the same as glorifying them. Nor did I understand the news about viewers leaving the screening because of the violence - what violence? It's hardly a gore-fest, though its few violent scenes are maybe more realistic than usual.
The only part where the film fell short was the whole idea that Arthur's actions inspired violent riots all across Gotham. The idea of riots erupting in support over the murder of three people (when the public cannot even know they were scumbags) is a bit ludicrous - as is the idea that the rioting masses will rise up to cheer and follow a guy who murders a tv host live on air. If things worked like that, capitalism would have fallen long ago - and unlike other comic films (as generic a term as this has become now) Joker is in every other aspect not just realistic, but plausible.
Nonetheless, this takes very little away from the enjoyment of a truly excellent movie - as great as Joaquin Phoenix is in it, he is far from the only reason to watch it.