like my Marmite

Rating: 9/10 (1 March 2020)

The Marmite movie of 2019, i feel is a borderline masterpiece. With massive nods to Taxi Driver and King of Comedy, this portraits a future super villain as a troubled young man. Phoenix playing him in a way that makes him seem both sympathetic and extremely creepy.
Evoking Chaplin and 1940s musicals, Joker is more Scorsese than comic book universe. The steps scenes are truly beautiful - whether dragging himself up or dancing down in his warpaint. One scene see him reach the summit, with the beautiful Gotham landscape behind him.
The tone of this film is darker (yes darker) than Nolan's Batman films. Phoenix's Joker is a more brooding and introspective clown than Ledger's. Action scenes are in relatively short supply. This isn't a superhero movie after all, bar for one brilliantly set piece on the Gotham subway, with two hapless police officers caught in the throng.
As viewers, we can't help but root for Arthur. We suffer with him in the excruciating scenes when his comedy fails. It is only natural instinct to want him to succeed, and it's a borderline happy ending when he finally stands up for himself.