NO LAUGHING MATTER

Rating: 8/10 (27 January 2020)

By now everyone has heard the hype that surrounded the release of the film JOKER. Comic fans were unsure if they would accept it since talk was it abandoned preconceived notions of the character. The press decried it for the violence in the film. And once released the movie was praised for the acting skills of star Joaquin Phoenix. As for myself I was in no rush to see the film and didn't look forward to it. Which makes me happy to report that the film took me by surprised. All of the things noted above came true.
Set in 1981 the film stars Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, a man in search of employment who feels he is destined for fame as a clown/comedian. Dealing with mental issues that require weekly visits to social services as well as plenty of medication, Fleck currently works as a clown for hire. But this is a tough Gotham, a world where a garbage strike has left the streets littered with trash, where this causes a slew of rats and one where Arthur is beat up when twirling a sign in front of a store in costume. After the attack, another clown provides him with a gun for protection.
In addition to these problems Arthur suffers from a rare condition that finds him frequently laughing without the ability to stop at the wrong moments. He also has a mother at home who is ill that he takes care of. She consistently asks him to check the mailbox as she awaits a letter from Thomas Wayne, the billionaire businessman she claims she worked for for over 30 years. But no letter comes. When he reads one of her letters he discovers that he might be the illegitimate child of her relationship with Wayne.
On his way home from a gig as a clown, three wealthy young businessmen accost a woman on the subway and he begins laughing. When they attack him, he pulls the gun and kills all three. The end result is a public that looks at him as a hero, the gap between the wealthy and poor so wide in Gotham. This results in riots in the streets, people wearing clown masks.
Arthur attempts to meet Wayne to no avail. One encounter he confronts his butler Alfred while his Wayne's young son watches. Another he confronts Wayne himself who then punches him and tells him to stay clear of his family. He also tells him that his mother was mentally ill and did time in Arkham Asylum.
On the side Arthur is attempting to become a stand-up comic. But his affliction kicks in when he hits the stage and while telling unfunny jokes he continues to laugh while the audience does not. When spending time with his mother the two watch The Murray Franklin Show, a Johnny Carson styled show with the host (played by Robert De Niro) giving a monologue and introducing guests. During one of his monologues he shows video of Arthur's stage appearance making fun of it. This eventually leads to his staff contacting Arthur to see if he'd like to come on the show.
Throughout the film we watch as Arthur Fleck spirals down into insanity. His reality is far from what is actually taking place around him. His search for meaning in his life, to discover not only himself but his place in the world is one that drives him but not to the things most people would find appealing. Arthur sees himself as giving the gift of laughter, inspired by his mother who has told him this since he was young. But her secrets are the ones that pushes him over the brink eventually and nothing will be the same after.
Phoenix is a gifted actor who's made a name for himself by immersing himself in the roles he chooses. He does the same here, losing an enormous amount of weight to take on the character of Fleck. His depiction of Fleck's slow mental decline is one of his best performances. So much so that those around him seem inconsequential when looking at the film.
The violence in the film is nowhere near the hype that surrounded it. Yes, it contains violence but there are so many more movies that go further. The questioning of if the movie should be released reflecting back on the theater shooting during a Batman movie was ridiculous and unnecessary hand wringing by those who fear everything.
For those who were concerned about the strict adherence to the comics fear not. Eventually by the end of the film all of those connections are made and a new origin story of Batman's most frightening villain is revealed. It even has the possibility of tying into the reboot of Batman but who knows.
In the end the movie runs a little too long but that seems to be the case with many directors these days. Cutting 15 minutes of the film would have moved it along much better. But it is an interesting film and worth watching. Just don't go in expecting the same sort of superhero styled movie we've been getting. This one is not for the kids. But for adults give this one a watch. Odds are good you'll see Phoenix nominated for best actor this year.