A must read review for a must view film

Rating: 10/10 (6 October 2019)

I watched JOKER with superhero trepidation.
As a stout Marvel fan and and having been somewhat let down by the promise that DC were going darker following Batman Begins and The Dark Knight (killings aside), I entered the theatre wondering what kind of picture Warner brothers would present.
Some of the adverts prior to the movie were drolé and tried to replicate the suggested horror and intrigue that would be presented in the film, but the copycats fell short of the truth.
Joker presents a dark and intrepid insight into the origins of one of DC's most fabled villains.
The acting by Phoenix was sublime and the setting held true to the history of the character and the references to the origins of batman were there to be seen.
I do not want to dwell much on the story of the film as it would detract and deter some from witnessing this visual extravaganza and performance, and to surmise Joaquin Phoenix gives his soul to this homage and becomes truly encapsulating.
To bring this into modern context, it is a man who suffers from mental illness who loses his right to help from the government due to budget cuts whilst the over pompous capitalists drink champagne, ride in limo's and sleep in mansions whilst profiting from the lesser man. Much of this is only hinted at however and bares little influence to the piece as The Joker is not a political figure until he emerges from his metamorphis, which only occurs following a dramatic event - and this itself only happens near the end of the film.
Phoenix depicts a truly delirious, deep, and troubled character haunted by the events of his family life which have echoed into his present and in some ways dictate his behavior's such as his memorable, yet haunting, uncontrollable laugh - which is well characterized in the movie.
There are a lot of comments regarding mental impairments and how this movie should have been a higher classification - but having looked at the BBFC category wording it neither dwells on any particular situation nor glorifies it - however it is a deep portrayal of a troubled and well know (sic) super villain and in the film there are at least 2 somewhat contentious moments so watch at your own {peril}.
This film in my view, has been released at the most appropriate time. The world is waking up to the fact that fat cats (which include movie stars) are milking the lesser man (sic) as the societal gaps widens between rich and poor and this real life occurrence is well represented in this film.