A work of art

Rating: 10/10 (8 October 2019)

I rarely give a perfect note but this movie deserves 100%. An origin story like you have never seen before. It seems so real that it could easily happen in the real world.
It points a finger to real life problems like desinstitutinalisation and the lack of help and follow up for people who suffer from psychiatric problems.
Joaquin Phoenix is absolutely incredible. He is not playing the Joker... he IS the Joker. His performance deserves an Academy Award. He is a method actor who transforms his body and his soul for his roles.
The cinematography (Lawrence Sher) is breathtaking. He is able to create a very heavy and dark ambiance that keeps us hooked. It's visually stunning. As the transformation of Arthur into the Joker advances, the camera makes the character seem bigger and just with that we can feel the confidence that he develops.
Todd Phillips has written, produced and directed was is, in my opinion, a work of art. The movie is heavy and difficult to watch at times. There are some very graphic and violent scenes but they are all necessary to the character development. I very rarely feel a deep internal unease as I watch a movie but I did as I watched how sad and tragic Arthur's life was.
The fact that they are able to make the watchers feel compassion for a psychopath is not an easy task.
The character development makes sense for once.
This is not a comic book movie. It's a character study.
Wow.