You'll never look at Batman's arch nemesis in the same light again

Rating: 9/10 (18 February 2020)

Todd Phillips (The Hangover guy) wrote, produced and directed this origin story for the Joker character from DC Comics 'Batman.' It features a powerhouse performance from Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a clown for hire by day, and a wannabe stand up comedian at night. Suffering from a medical condition that causes him to laugh at inappropriate times, Arthur finds that the joke always seems to be on him. Caught in a cynical existence between apathy and cruelty, he makes one bad decision that brings about a chain reaction of escalating events in this gritty character study. Phillips's film is a rare beast, a comic book movie which non comic book fans will probably appreciate more. It pays tribute to the 1970's and early 80's films of Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro (who appears here as a manipulative TV chat show host), particularly King of Comedy and Taxi Driver. Hildur Guðnadóttir composed the the film's score, which she wrote simultaneously alongside the music for the TV miniseries Chernobyl. As well as original music, it features the songs "That's Life", "Send In the Clowns", "White Room," and controversially, "Rock and Roll Part 2," by convicted child sex offender Gary Glitter (who did not receive a penny In royalties)