Astonishingly great; the solo film that the Joker needed

Rating: 10/10 (28 April 2020)

In this brilliant version of the Joker's origins, we follow Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) a man who struggles with societal 'norms'. Very early on, we see he has an inner conflict. Something dark and disturbing is inside this human being and the way it manifests itself is yet to be seen. He lives with his mother who he takes care of and watches his favourite show hosted by the popular Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro). He's an aspiring comedian; someone who wants to be recognised for doing something great and just to be accepted. He is hideously treated by people outside the comfort of his home, all fuelling his turmoil and boiling anger inside. Arthur Fleck is about to discover his alter ego... I loved this film. Not only is it a great DC movie, it's a compelling character study of someone disregarded by society to the point of insanity. I can't wait to watch it again and Phoenix is just phenomenal in the role; the way he contorts his body into the Clown Prince Of Crime himself and the physical build up to that is essential viewing along with the scarring psychological aspect. There are naturally going to be comparisons made to previous incarnations of the Joker, but they are all very different and Phoenix does something completely different with the character that we really have not seen before. Director Todd Phillips (The Hangover, War Dogs) who also co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver (8 Mile, The Fighter) has really shown the incredible potential of his cinematic vision. The way the camera moves, the ways the performances are captured, the in depth eye for detail, the pitch black humour spectacularly projected (especially in the scene of Joker's first bombastic killing; a disturbing scene but with a sharp comic edge). The psychological trauma of the Joker has not been captured this well on screen before in my opinion and it's a deeply engaging, beautifully shot and thought provoking masterpiece