Movie #1888 ........................."Joker"

Movie #1888 "Joker"  --- I saw this several weeks ago, but I forgot to write a blog on it (Thanks to my cousin for reminding me) I found this film one of the most intriguing films that I have seen in a long time--- I was going to skip it (esp. since I am not a superhero/marvel/dc fan) mainly because  I assumed it was just a string of violent episodes, one after another --- again, not a fan of those kinds of movies.  But then there were a couple of factors that persuaded me to get it from redbox shortly after it was offered there.  1)  I read on line that a lot of mental health experts were finding redeeming qualities in it, 2) Joaquin Phoenix was being mentioned again and again for best actor (I am one of those who thinks that Phoenix is one of the best actors of our time --- but a bit cerebral/ bordering on strange speaking  in his interviews).  3)  there were so many people on facebook and in texts that were commenting on the film, so I felt I was missing something big  - FOMO, I guess (something I don't usually like to miss) and 4)  people were asking me what I thought about it ---- so I felt it was coming across as meaty enough to talk about.......so I saw it.   And I am glad I did.  Yes, it was very violent (I had a list of those horrid scenes in front of me from IMDB so that I could speed through them or close my eyes --- sorry, I just can't watch much of that any more) Yes, it went through the character development  of the joker, batman's dreaded villain, even including the backstory of Batman's parents being killed as a result of the joker (well, kind of).  But what I found more interesting was that it seemed to take you into this wounded mind --- it is a result of an entire life of abuse, from an abusive mother, a missing father, a victim of bullying and manipulation by those he works with, and even strangers in the streets...... as a result, he can't make connections with people --- the one time he does, with this woman in the elevator who seems to "get him" for one moment, he misreads it  & as a result, he is caught engaging in inappropriate behavior.  His social worker he checks in with obviously doesn't "get him" --- his boss doesn't "get him" --- his mother doesn't "get him" --- his fellow workers don't "get him" --- even guys on a train car don't get him, and they push him to such extremes, he acts out violently --- his first rung on the ladder of descending into disintegration of his character.  Joaquin is able to walk the line here with the audience  between  us feeling sorry for him or for us abhorring what he does.  He is given very few tools to deal with his mental illness, but one in particular is interesting to watch ---- his dance moves seem to calm him down --- they almost look ballet - like, which emphatically clashes with the  violence and blood in the background that he is causing.  And all that just adds to the maniacal tone in a lot of the scenes..... watching this film is like watching a car accident at times in slow motion.  You are drawn in emotionally to his quest to be acknowledged as a human being --- the movie lets us see enough to "get him" in some moments so when he takes us on this crazy ride through time, and we know what is going to result, it is still jarring to us that the accident happens!  And then we linger to watch the "now what?"  I think this is the kind of movie that incites  discussions, hopefully about mental illness because boy, do we need them.  This is a recommendation, but only to those who can stomach the violence.  I give it a 4 out of 5.


"JOKER"         2 hours and 2 minutes           2019        Rated R

Set in 1980s Gotham City, this origin story of DC Comics' notorious archvillain the Joker chronicles the cautionary tale of a stand-up comedian whose failure drives him to criminal madness.

Cast 

Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Frances Conroy, Zazie Beetz, Brett Cullen, Brian Tyree Henry, Marc Maron, Dante Pereira-Olson, Douglas Hodge, Sharon Washington, Bill Camp, Glenn Fleshler, Josh Pais, Shea Whigham, Leigh Gill, Sondra James, Murphy Guyer, Hannah Gross, Gary Gulman, Chris Redd, Bryan Callen, Greer Barnes, Ray Iannicelli, Keith Buterbaugh

Director 

Todd Phillips

Genres 

Thrillers, Psychological Thrillers, Comic Books and Superheroes, Period Pieces, 20th Century Period Pieces

Moods 

Gritty, Violent, Dark