What do you get when you cross Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Phillips? You get what every Joker fan deserves.

Rating: 10/10 (14 October 2019)

Review originally posted on https://geeklysian.wordpress.com/
I have a bad tendency to preface. I'm not sure why, just always have. It's instinctual. Whether I'm commentating a video, telling a story in person, or even writing this article at the moment, I like to provide all the background information. In this case, I should note that the Joker is one of my favorite fictional characters. Not simply a favorite comic book character, no, I'm talking all of fiction of any medium. I've even gone as far as to memorialize the character on my right forearm as a tattoo (my others are Mass Effect & Avril Lavigne). So, it's safe to assume I'm probably bias in regards to Joker because I did go in fully wanting to love it. However, instead of "bias", you could consider it a PSA as well.
"Warning: Your experience with Joker will depend entirely on the perspective and expectations you set before even taking your seat."
Now, sure, I'm aware that can be said for any movie, but it feels especially true in this situation considering the drummed up controversy that has surrounded the film. The beauty and genius of Joker is that the narrative is spun in such a manner that there isn't any one superior interpretation. If you've fallen to the media's scare tactics and expect Joker to be a glorified, violent romp, then you'll probably leave the theatre feeling those concerns were validated and quickly take to your own respective blogs to share in the outrage. If you were supporting this movie to show Warner Bros. there's still interest in dark, gritty adaptations of DC Comics' properties in the hope that the Snyder Cut would be released, you'll be sorely disappointed and should start considering seeking professional help to overcome your inability to move on. If you're a fan that understands the character, is able to distinguish between fiction and reality, and is admittedly somewhat of an edgelord, you're in for a treat that'll be sure to make you smile as only "Mistah J" can.
"Wait, did you say 'smile'? But I thought this was a dramatic thriller about someone suffering from mental illness that spirals towards madness?"
You're right, it is (thanks for that "short and not-so-sweet" synopsis by the way), but it's also a comedy. And before you alert any intelligence or law enforcement agencies: 1) I'm sure I'm already on numerous lists, so you'd be wasting your time. 2) Remember that comedy is subjective, which is actually a major theme during the story.
When I refer to Joker being a comedy, I don't mean the kinds that the genre are known for. It isn't like previous films directed by Todd Phillips either. There aren't any middle aged, white dudes wilding out as they go through a midlife crisis... oh, wait, I suppose that would be somewhat accurate actually. Anyway, Joaquin Phoenix won't be blazing it up with Zach Galifianakis (thanks spellcheck) and getting abandoned on a roof or escorting Iron Holmes across country in time to deliver his unborn child. No, no, no. The comedy in this film is of the darker variety and evolves or transforms over the course of the movie alongside Arthur (Joker's name pre-transformation - "Jack Napier" who?). This was a highlight for me that I haven't noticed being discussed as much, instead being overshadowed by either the "problematic" nature of the scenes or the abundance of praise for the brilliant acting (which is completely fair). I suppose that it's also possible that I'm in the minority that found some of the later scenes and "jokes" funny, but I know I'm not alone, at least. Others laughed in the theatre too, I swear! That also just exemplifies the affect the film's narrative had on me by easily luring me in and enabling me to enjoy the chaos and macabre humor of the Joker. As someone that indulges in guilty pleasures though, like playing through the Mass Effect series as a renegade and kicking mercenaries out of skyscrapers, it was never going to be challenging for Joker to sweep me off my feet. This all circles back to my opening PSA, of course. If you're a goody-two-shoes (pulling out the elementary insults, Doc) then you'll need to be able to at least appreciate Joker for its darkness if you're unable to revel in it yourself.
As for the acting, I briefly touched upon this, but allow me to also give Joaquin Phoenix a golden shower of praise for the best performance of the Clown Prince yet!
"Uh, that's not what 'golden shower' means and *le gasp* what about Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight?"
Oh, it's not? Well, time to remix the ignition on this review. Eh? Get it? Whatever.... And yes, it may be a hot take or recency bias, but I'd say this version of the Joker is, at least, on the same tier as The Dark Knight. I do think, though, it wouldn't be right to directly compare them since they're such vastly different interpretations of the character that which one anyone prefers likely is more so a result of liking the interpretation than actual critique of the performances. But hey, as long as we all agree Jared Leto never happened, I'm satisfied with Heath & Joaquin sharing the title of best live-action Joker.
Despite this being primarily an origin story, a recurring theme in the comics, The Dark Knight, and in Joker is that if he has to have an origin story, he'd rather it be multiple choice. The cinematography lends itself well to this element of the narrative. If you've read other reviews or have been discussing the movie yourself with friends (wow, look at the big shot with his companionship) then you'll notice there's many opinions on what actually happened in Joker. This is because there's so many strange scenes or clever tricks of the camera that will cause you doubting what's real and what's another delusion of Arthur's spiraling madness. There's also a similar sense of evolution or transformation as I described with the humor. In earlier scenes Arthur is miserable, the lighting is dark, colors are faded, and in general there's a feeling of bleakness. Once Arthur starts to become the Joker, however, it's as if the world flips on its head. He's more confident, it's brighter, the world is more vibrant, and over all everything seems better, at least for him. This all helps you with connecting and understanding the character as each scene, each camera angle acts as a window into his mind.
Last, but certainly not least, we have the score. I'll be honest with you (more honest than the Joker, for what that's worth), I actually had to update this article to include this as I forgot. I'm the type that's always preferred music be uobtrusive (so as you can imagine I wasn't a big Guitar Hero fan), so I never developed a critical ear for it. I'm usually more focused on the acting, the story, the cinematography, etc. That said, the score and one song in particular had a big impact on the film and has been stuck in my head since. Just as Joker breathes new life into a classic character, so too does it rejuvenate a classic song. In fact, that the song is so woven into the narrative itself is likely the reason I didn't consider the score separately during the original writing because with Joker everything just comes together as one amazing package. And I can't think of a clincher sentence now which is unfortunate, but hey, That's Life.
Conclusion
What do you get when you cross Joaquin Phoenix and Todd Phillips? You get what every Joker fan deserves. An iteration of the character to finally rival The Dark Knight's and a film in which every element of production came together perfectly to create one of the best movies of our time.
Final Rating - 5/5 Stars! (Translated to 10/10 for IMDb)