The darkest yet most important pieces of cinema in recent years

Rating: 10/10 (8 December 2019)

Joaquin Phoenix's Joker is unquestionably one of the darkest yet incredibly powerful and important pieces of cinema in recent years. Reactions have ranged from wholly irresponsible, to mean spirited. However, one which is not particularly explored is its seeming importance in an age of which Gotham's societal issues seem much like any other western city. To say that Joker is a microcosm of today's society would not be much of a stretch - in fact it would be pretty accurate.
Gotham is in-turmoil, as a consequence of strikes its streets are littered with rubbish, the rich are getting richer, budgets are getting cut and seemingly the powers to be have no interest or do not deem mental health to be of importance; sound familiar? Within this toxic, cruel and bitter city Arthur Fleck (Joker, Joaquin Phoenix) a troubled and struggling comic suffering from severe mental disorders has to go about his daily life and make sense of his own reality. After finding out his mental health treatments will be cut and the state will no longer provide funds for his medication he is left to fend for himself.
To say that the comic to movie trick has run its creative course would be an understatement. In-fact, to say that Marvel and DC have squeezed every last penny out of each generic, painstaking superhero franchise would be a lie - because there is undoubtedly another one coming out next week (even if you are reading this in 2035). Having said that what director Todd Phillips alongside writer Scott Silver have managed to accomplish is to reinvent (yet again) what a comic book character can embody and stand for. Director of the Hangover movies and Due Date (although good comedic movies in their own right) Phillips' rebirth is perhaps the biggest surprise to 2019. Each and every element of Joker is perfectly on point, and Phillips' envision of what a Joker movie should entail is clearly brought to life. Phillips' depiction of the Joker's world is awesomely dark and that darkness transpires through its spectral score, glum environment and intense visual acting.
Joaquin's Joker is truly his own, in which the brilliant script and plot gives him the freedom to do so. His desperate, insidious undertones are apparent throughout, of which occasionally becomes satisfyingly uncomfortable. From his uncontrollable laughing fits to his existential dance routines this is one obscenely creepy guy. Compassion or sympathy are not words that spring to mind when describing the Joker; rather pity. Pity for his intolerably unfortunate set of circumstances in that he is left to his own devices to tackle his awful existence without the support or help from anyone.
Joaquin Phoenix's Joker is eerily beautiful in all the ways it should be, bordering on uncomfortable at times this film rides the cusp perfectly. Always leaving you second guessing, each scene feels as though it is improvised (in a good way) and it is truly impossible to predict which way each set piece will go. Each scene contributes seamlessly to the overall narrative that Phillips is trying to convey, it's with-strained and outright outlandish when required. It seems that the Joker has raised a few heads and its controversial undertones might just mean it misses out on best picture. However, for its sheer audacity it should certainly be in contention.