Joker Movie Review
“A Deranged Man Takes Over Gotham City”
The menacing laugh from an unhinged man who is now the leader of the anarchist movement.
Joker (2019) movie promotional poster
“Joker” stars Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck, an aspiring comic who suffers from a mental condition where he uncontrollably laughs. The movie premiered on October 4, 2019 and was directed by Todd Phillips. Phillips is also known for his other directorial works on movies such as The Hangover Trilogy and War Dogs. This movie is a stark contrast to Phillip’s other films because it was light-hearted comedies compared to this dispirited film.
Joker is a stand-alone film where it is not tied to any other D.C.U. films, DC Extended Universe. Phoenix is a three-time Oscar nominee who stars alongside notable actors Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Frances Conroy.
Phoenix takes a different approach for the role of Joker. Phoenix held to a high standard on how the infamous character portrayal in comparison to renowned late actor Heath Ledger or Jack Nicholson’s performances. The story follows his original story from Arthur Fleck to Joker compared to Jared Leto’s recent portrayal of Joker in 2016 Suicide Squad where he was established to be Gotham City’s crime king.
The story begins in the 1980s Gotham City where crime was rampant and social programs budgets were being cut from mental care facilities. People were in a state of despair due to a rise in crime and civil unrest between socio-economic classes. Gotham was edging for a cultural shift to stand up to their oppressors like city officials and wealthy citizens. One line from the movie that made a lasting impression is “Is it just me or is it getting crazier out there?” said Fleck in his therapy session. This quote sets the tone for the movie.
The story follows when Arthur’s failures in his life, caring for his aging mother, and frustrations are let out on unsuspecting victims.
A great divide was reaching a boiling point between the haves and the have nots. At one point of the film there is an altercation between Arthur and three young businessmen riding on the subway. The men begin to chastise Fleck and poke fun at his appearance for dressing as a clown. They taunted him as if he was a persting, small child. From that moment, Fleck releases his resentment and makes the decision he makes spirals his life into chaos and destruction.
The color palette and cinematography work together in the transformation of Curry from a frail, powerless person to a leader of his own. At the beginning of the movie, Arthur is on his way and he begins to climb a steep staircase on his way home. This staircase represents Arthur's life of having to struggle to survive everyday with no help but his own. Fleck is dressed in his normal attire which consists of gray, brown, and green. Juxtapose to later where he descends down the staircase where he has embraced the metamorphosis of his alter-ego of Joker. His perception of the world begins to change from a bleak color to vibrant, rich colors of green, red, and yellow.
Fleck’s face is painted white and accented with red and blue makeup. His hair dyed a forest green to make him look more like a jokester. His style has changed into a burgundy suit with a mustard color vest. The most substantial change Fleck has made in the road to madness is the confidence he exudes. His lack of care for others who hurt him affects him no longer and he has taken control of his own life.
Joker acts as a reflection to our own society in dealing with considerable issues that Americans face of wealth inequality, social justice, and mental health. There is a great debate and divide among citizens about those of the 1% who hold a substantial amount of wealth and the bottom 90% who hold a small portion. People are struggling to provide basic needs for their families.
The veil has been lifted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses are closing, there is fear for people if they are going to be unemployed. The government is deeply divided and there is no unity between political parties to produce a plan to help advance its citizens. The social justice theme of the film is how there is mistrust between those in power, politicians, the elite, and the police. The movie may be set in the 1980s but people of color are currently in fear for their safety when involving police and essential social services.
Overall, I would watch this movie again. “Joker” would be rated 4.7 because of great directing from Phillips, an epic film score, and eye-catching aesthetics. Phoenix’s performance is exceptional and gives a one-of-a-kind performance. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers, you would enjoy this movie.
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