Why 'Joker' has made us uncomfortable?

Rating: 10/10 (8 October 2019)

'What do you get when you cross a mentally ill loner, with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash? You get what you deserve!'
The above quote is from Todd Phillips' brash new smash hit movie; 'Joker', which is based on DC's famous comic book villain. Never before has this infamous DC character which remains one of the most well-known comic book characters, had its own origin movie. Critics and fans alike have showered praise on Joaquin Phoenix, who has given a ground breaking performance which adds humanity to a character whose villainous exploits are well known, but the character itself remains an anomaly. Yet the film has also received some criticism, not because of Phoenix's performance or Todd Phillip's direction, but on the movie being too 'dark', and supposedly glorifying violence. This criticism is quite surprising, as neither the violence in the movie is more excessive than seen in recent years, and in terms of being 'dark', then once again it matches at the very least movies like, 'Mother!'; and 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer'. So what is the real reason for the supposed walk outs from showings of the film, and those 'offended' viewers who have had to resort to using social media outlets to vent their disgust? The answer lies within all of us, and how society as a whole views people with mental illness. 'Joker' is a movie that attempts to achieve something rare in cinema, and that is to bring realism to a comic book story, by raising important questions about modern day society. The film dares to be more than a fun filled, CGI injected comic book adaptation, and this is why some fans seem unsettled. Surely if watching grown men in costumes, is what you love, then you have had your fair share of the 'Avengers' saving the world, battling against outer-galactic enemies. However with 'Joker' we have the portrayal of a man who has suffered for most of his life, at the hands of his carers, professionals, colleagues, and most others who have crossed his path. Arthur Fleck, a la 'Joker', is a man who has been diagnosed with mental illness, and is struggling to lead a normal life, yet fails to receive the support he clearly requires. Arthur whose plight is ignored, becomes a victim of abuse at the hands of people who fail to understand him. Eventually something snaps, and the results are tragic. People who have criticised the film, have claimed that Arthur/Joker's actions may be used as inspiration by similarly disadvantaged people to perpetrate violence against society. Yet these short sighted individuals fail to understand the potent message behind the lead up to Arthur's transformation. However I am sure if the movie had shown that the acts of violence was committed by a foreigner, with a religious motive, than it would have been easily accepted. The fact that the film shows how society can drive a mentally ill white male to commit 'terrorist' acts have stirred some uncomfortable feelings about how we view mental illness, and even the stereo type of people perceived to be dangerous in our society. Or perhaps this movie does not fit the agenda we wish to consider at the moment. The discussion of mental illness, and its effects, have not yet been passed down from the government, because they still haven't finished with trying to force LGBT down our throats. Being part of that rainbow movement is fashionable at the moment, yet being a mentally ill loner has not yet reached the priority list of the policy makers.
I would advise that people accept what the film is trying to show, even if the climax is difficult to watch, or even more difficult to accept. We need to reflect upon how many people are suffering from mental illness, and how it effects them and their families. I have always felt that it is movies that are inspired by reality, and not the other way around. Joker is a bleak yet bold statement about the injustices of a society that preys on the weak, and maybe that's what we don't like.