It's so much more than a character study.

Rating: 10/10 (5 October 2019)

There is a danger to this film.
An origin story, sure. But a warning about how society, friends and family can slowly wear away at a person - and how there's no time taken by anyone to understand anyone who is struggling, is different, who's 'failing'.
Like driving and parenting, those who are poor at these things, seldom realise just how bad they are. With social responsibility and awareness, people are just the same. Everyone thinks they're good. Posted that suicide awareness meme? Tick. I'm a solid human being. Then post a video of that weirdo on the bus.
The film has divided many. I suspect that those who've not enjoyed it are those with little empathy or those lucky enough not to have an ignored struggle to cope with. Certainly not adrift from society, or failing to 'achieve' (urgh). It's quite likely the film's closing line was a predictor of those reactions. I was the only one laughing at this and a few other moments.
Phoenix cuts through his character's psyche here more than Joker does any victim. He breathes and cries loneliness. There are several moments which openly show his struggle to join in with a world he doesn't fit into. He waltzes through these and more, pulling you on-side and deeper and deeper. And I felt it. Very much.
And that's where it could be dangerous. A potential call to arms.
But above all, it's a remarkably engrossing piece, linking as much with King Of Comedy as with the Batman story. Drawing the links between the two worlds into focus too, and forcing us to question our ignorance and to challenge known truths.
Phoenix will win Best Actor for this. Rightly so.