Life is but a JOKE🤡.

Rating: 9/10 (5 October 2019)

Being DC's first standalone film in years, 'Joker' is without a doubt the biggest risk Warner Bros. has taken in terms of revisioning this iconic character for the big screen.
1. The film's plot deviates almost entirely from the comics except for one storyline of the Joker having been a failed stand-up comic. Other than that, this is mostly a character study of a mentally ill man who deals with loneliness and the aggressive and unfair society he lives in that ultimately pushes him to a breaking point. Personally, I rather enjoy such stories that deal in harsh realities and how people deal with such. Director Todd Phillips without question proves his strength as a serious director with this film.
2. Ever since 2008's release of 'The Dark Knight', Heath Ledger has stood the test of time of being the best comic-to-screen adaptation of the Joker. While I still believe Ledger's portrayal captures the true chaotic nature of the character, Joaquin Phoenix's performance as Arthur Fleck/Joker is easily as equally Oscar worthy. I'm sure other reviews will elaborate a lot more on how brilliant Phoenix is in the part so it should be no surprise me saying it here.
3. This is an R-Rated film that pushes boundaries psychologically and causes the audience to ponder back and forth on how they should feel about Arthur himself as he begins his inevitable spiral into madness. There is also a clever approach to the filmmaking in which it makes one question as to whether what they're watching is real or not. If you've seen the trailers, you'd know that some other popular DC characters make an appearance in this film, but don't get your hopes up for a sequel of any kind cause this film isn't about them and it's clear that this is definitely standalone.
4. The rest of the supporting cast serve their respective purposes to where they don't detract from Arthur's story. The only other people apart from Phoenix to get a little more screen-time is of course Robert De Niro and Frances Conroy who plays Arthur's ailing mother Penny. My one complaint however is that Arthur's inevitable transformation into the Joker (as we know the character to be) comes in the last 30mins of the film. Despite the tension and suspense being high during the climax, the transformation should have been given a little more time to resonate rather than being rushed.
As of 2019, 'Joker' has not only been a genuine cinematic achievement in the comic book genre but in terms of a sheer character drama as well. This will obviously be in my top 5 films of the year and hopefully everyone can appreciate this gritty yet compelling look of a man who's life is no laughing matter.