10 as a Masterpiece of a Stand-Alone Film. 5 for Tying it in with The Joker

Rating: 9/10 (28 November 2019)

While we were at one of the only pre-screenings in my city, it has taken me a while to review this title, because I've been torn on it.
Yes, Joaquin Phoenix, who has always been a veritable bastion of talent, was masterful in the role. Yes, Phoenix's portrayal of his character was riveting. Yes, the story was both gripping and also necessary, especially today when it seems that mental illness is running rampant. Yes, the tone was magnificently set within both the cinematic and art direction.
What I have a problem with, is the way it tied into the Batman universe and particularly with what it had in common and what differentiated it from the
Jokers of the past. I still have problems making the two worlds merge.