Joker — A Review

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.

★★★★