Uncomfortable, yet brilliant

Rating: 7/10 (10 October 2019)

The first half of the film is arguably the strongest; the title charachters struggles with his prevalent mental health issues were both relatable and palpable, which leaves one feeling a level of pitty for him, and anger at a regimen that disregards the struggles of the poorest social classes under harsh austerity measures. Sound familiar? It's when he makes his innevitably transition to the titular Joker that the film starts to move from somewhat dark, tense drama about the effects of austerity on those with mental health "issues", to a film of apparent shock and awe that in contrast to the start of the film, made for an uncomfortable viewing as we see our charachter become deranged in a way that isn't respectful to those with mental health struggles. It seemed to paint those with severe mental health as dangerous and volatile. And because I stopped associating with his struggles half way through, the film felt longer than it was as I found myself wishing it would just end.
I'd give it a 5 out of ten but Joaquin Phoenix's acting was sublime, 10/10, and the art direction and cinematography was rather very good, 9/10. Made for a strong 7/10.