This film is a 15, was released on October 4th 2019, and this review will contain NO SPOILERS
Introduction
The Joker is a character that has appeared many times in cinema history. There have been many interpretations that range through all kinds of tones and styles. However, my favourite, and probably many others' favourite is Heath Ledger from The Dark Knight (well, my actual favourite is Lego Joker but let's be real here). He brought probably the most realistic interpretation of this character to the screen, and created such an engaging performance that he ended up winning an Oscar for it. But, what if the Joker wasn't a secondary character? What if he was the main character of his own standalone film? That is where Joaquin Phoenix comes in.
Thoughts Going In
I didn't know what to expect going in. There had been a fairly mixed reception online with many critics I respect saying it was really good, but others claiming it is a nasty film that 'endorses violence'. So, I didn't really know what I'd think, but I was sure that it'd be something.
The Story
Arthur Fleck is a mentally unstable man living in Gotham. He dreams of being a stand-up comedian but is held back due to a condition he has where he frequently starts to uncontrollably laugh, regardless of what is happening. However, after an incident involving him one night, a series of crimes involving individuals dressed as clowns begins and he convinces himself that his life is one big comedy.
What I Liked
I think it goes without saying that Joaquin Phoenix is outstanding in this film. He fully embraces this role and you don't question it being an actor for one minute. However, what I really liked about his performance was that he genuinely made me feel uncomfortable. Whenever he was on screen, which is essentially the whole movie, you don't feel safe. You don't know exactly what he is going to do, but you know that he will do something, and that it will probably be brutal. This made his interactions with other characters really intense and it also left me biting my nails as I awaited his responses to certain things. And, as expected, they are violent to a large extent. Some of it made my jaw drop in shock and other times prompted me to look away. This is a game changing performance, and, like Ledger, Phoenix deserves an Oscar all the way. Also, other performances in the film such as Robert De Niro and Zazie Beetz were really solid too, if not as remarkable.
The filmmaking is also excellent. All the effort was put in to make this film stand out in the crowd of other films released this year to be as unique as possible, highlighting the nature of the protagonist. The cinematography is brilliant, with many shots feeling gritty and real with some subtle usage of shakey cam. The lighting was also eerie and helped to intensify the horror or shock of certain sequences, the set design complemented this too with a really appropriately scrappy and grim aesthetic. The score was also extremely haunting and its presence / absence in particular moments made the actions feel even more grounded in reality or horrifying. So, the behind the scenes work to make this a truly weird and thus unique experience was all done to a largely commendable extent.
But, the most effective thing about this film was the fact that all the elements combined added up to one of the most unsettling experiences I've ever had watching a film. Seeing Arthur with his derranged personality inhabiting this world that is stylised to seem as weird as possible made me, as an audience member, feel uneasy and disturbed. It understands what audiences find hard to watch or hard to sit through and uses those to its advantage. Things that are thematically dark, things that are alarmingly real, all these things complement the atmosphere that the film puts you in. I don't usually have this kind of response to a film, so if there is a film that makes me have it, you know its done something very well indeed.
One last thing I should mention is that this film gets you thinking. It's the sort of film that you want to talk about for ages after seeing it because you won't be able to stop thinking about it. I can vividly remember so many scenes and I doubt they'll be leaving me any time soon. As great as other movies have been this year, none have left me thinking and wanting to talk about them as much as this has. I have had three different conversations with three different people about this film and I'd love that number to go up. It's a film that leaves you with a lot to take away and unpack, and I respect that.
What I Didn't Like
The biggest issue with the film can also been seen as a positive to some extent, and that is that I thought it was a tough film to sit through. I praised it for making me feel uneasy, but that also works against the film because it lowers the rewatch value for me. Even though it may be less stressful of a watch the next time due to the fact that I know all the outcomes, I don't have any desire to see it again, even though I liked a lot about it. Also, you may be wondering why I was vague about certain points I've made despite wanting to talk about this movie as much as possible. That's because, as much as I do want to think about this film, I do feel uncomfortable whenever I do. That might sound weird but this is a weird film to talk about, so I think it makes sense. I also think it is much easier to talk about in person as opposed to writing a review when trying to vary vocabulary and be as detailed as possible.
Conclusion
I think Joker is a really terrific piece or work, but I don't know if I like it or not. The amazing central performance, the impeccable work behind the camera, and the atmosphere of the film make it something else. But, the uncomfortable nature makes it less rewatchable than most other films. But, regardless of that, I think I really do like this film. It's difficult to talk about but I do want to talk about it. And I like the fact that it has given me this reaction and that it has left me thinking and probably will have me thinking for much time to come. Anyway, I think I'll need something a bit more light-hearted next, and how lucky is it that Shaun the Sheep is back on the big screen next week!
I'm going to give Joker a 9/10
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