27th December, 2019.
You know, now Christmas is over … ?
I have to admit to feeling less stressed.
I get occasional bouts of depression.
The job situation doesn’t help.
I can mostly deal with it.
But Christmas does get one felling glum …
~≈†≈~
On the upside … ?
On the upside, and courtesy of Christmas gift-cards?
I’ve got seem Dr Who blu-ray’s coming my way.
And a copy of Moorcock’s Oswald Bastable series.
And, sitting in the movie collection … ?
A copy of the 2019, Todd Phillips directed, Joaquin Phoenix film, Joker.
Do we have a good film?
Well …
~≈†≈~
Joker introduces us to Arthur Fleck: a man struggling to support himself and his ill mother, Penny (Frances Conroy) by working as a clown.
Working hard — at the start of the film — advertising the closing down sale at local music shop.
Until a group of teenage thugs grab his sign, run off … and, when he catches them?
Beat him him into semi consciousness with his own sign.
Back at the office?
A sympathetic co-worker called Randall, gives him a gun: so he can protect himself.
Arthur is not completely happy: his poor mental health means he can’t have one legally.
Arthur’s right to feel uncomfortable.
At his next gig — entertaining children at a local hospital — he drops the gun.
A mistake that costs him his job.
That, and his medical condition — an unfortunate tendency to laugh at inappropriate moments — gets him attacked by three employees of Thomas Wayne: one of the candidate’s in Gotham’s Mayoral election.
Something he can only deal with … by firing …
Life gets worse.
His attraction to to one of his neighbours — Sophie (Zazie Beetz) — is not the surest of things.
His attempted routine at a local comedy club bombs: due to his condition.
And, coming back home, afterwards?
He finds his mother being carried away in an ambulance.
It’s only then he get’s a call from his favourite talk show: the host wants him to appear on Thursday.
Arthur?
Arthur is like you, and me, and anyone else …
Is just a little bit strained …
~≈†≈~
Now … have I seen a good film, a fantastic film, or a film that’s outright superb … ?
Yes!
Right now, I’m sitting here having seen what is one hell of a film.
One that whose writing is wonderful, whose directing is great, whose supporting cast give the performances of a life time.
Zazie Beetz, the love interest? Was great.
As was American Horror Story alumni, Frances Conroy.
Actually? Now I’ve seen Ms Conroy in this, I have to say she out did every working minute she put in on American Horror Story.
The soundtrack? The soundtrack, provided by Hildur Guðnadóttir — who also composed for Chernobyl — is by turns, menacing, emotional, plays on our sympathies …
And is outright superb!
Then?
Then there‘s the central performance from Phoenix, as the central character.
He’s …
Basically, he’s nailed it.
I grew up on Cesar Romero’s Joker. Loved Nicholson’s. Felt Ledger’s Oscar was well deserved.
But … ?
Their versions of the Joker?
Were sane.
Fundamentally, sane.
Joaquin?
Has turned in a performance that shows us exactly how a fragile mind, a fragile mind that could be any of us, can be twisted by its circumstances.
Twisted, then bent backwards, forwards and sideways until, finally?
It snaps.
If you’re a Batman fan?
Joker is going to appeal.
If you’re not a bat-fan?
You are going to see a film that warns us how one bad day can change any of us for the worse.
And possibly the most riveting film you’re going to see in a long time.
A film that, quite simply?
Is superb.
Joker.
★★★★
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