Joker

I’m typically not a fan of movies that were heavily oscar-nominated - generally drawn out storylines about a person with a disability or challenge. Joker is not an exception to that theme. Also, in contrast to my 6-year old son, I can’t be enthused by superhero movies for entirely different reasons. Still, I was curious to see Joker. And I ‘m very glad I did. Really appreciated the beautiful movie, that is full of tense and surprising moments. I had read or seen relatively little about it. And I was under the impression that was a standalone movie that gives a different twist and back story to the Joker character. That it does. However it is fully intertwined with Gotham and the Batman lore. And somewhat to my surprise key aspects of the Bruce Wayne story are elaborately revisited in the movie. But it is vert well done and in an interesting manner. My wife, not really a super hero fan to say it mildly and with even less knowledge on the material than me, didn’t even notice this. So Joker is a super fascinating story that follows Arthur Fleck’s transformation from a challenged person, that could evoke some sympathy, into the clown of darkness. The main issue being that due to a mental issue he is incapable of integrating into society. Following him tipping over the edge reality provides several brilliant twists. The two pieces of commentary that I recall from the time when the movie hit cinemas were. Firstly, that the movie should be seen as a warning. This, having see the movie surprises me. Vulnerable, confused people sadly are a reality. If this is warning to some movie critics, it is good that they have been puled from their pink cloud . I don’t believe in movies with messages, but perhaps there is a social message here that vulnerable people deserve receive support and attention. Secondly, the movie was criticised because of its violent nature. Sure its is. But hey.. this is the Joker, what do you expect!? And if critics are complaining about the level of violence in this movie, then they have been spending too much time in cinema and failed to watch popular streaming series that have taken further steps in graphic violence in the race for eyeballs. Joker is beautiful, stylistic cinematic experience that draws you in to the slightly 70’s dystopian world of Gotham. The emptiness and toxicity get almost tangible. Let’s hope there will be no sequel as more detail and perspective owl remain some of the magic of this excellent movie. Oh, and Joaquin Phoenix, that I’ve admired since Gladiator, carries the whole piece in a spectacular manner. So very much worth seeing. We bought it on Prime and the crisp HD version does much credit to the many dark tones in the movie. We had to watch it in two parts. but were so was drawn in to it that we couldn’t wait to see the ending.

This is a brilliant film-not into superhero movies in any way, this movie however is fantastic! Joaquin Phoenix is amazing, he plays the Joker sympathetically and in spite of the violence he commits at the end of the movie, the viewer justifies his actions, empathising and rooting for him due to his appalling treatment by others…there is a Joker in ALL of us…highly recommended if you want your entire value system interrogated 11/10

Joaquin is just the most amazing actor. Great take on the beginning of the Joker and how he came to be. It's so awkward in places, it's brilliant!

While you thought that Heath Ledger’s Joker could never ever be surpassed, here comes Joaquin Phoenix, reinventing the character as a lonely man slowly losing grip with reality. Todd Phillips’s film is a slow descent into madness - and is also a magnificent portrayal of New York City in the 1980s, a city then dark, dirty and dangerous - like Gotham. Add to this a fabulous performance by Robert de Niro and you have a movie which is close to perfection. The political demonstration and the descent of Gotham into anarchia is in my view a little too heavy for comfort but please give “Joker” your utmost attention. This is a very good movie.

I first saw this movie on the big screen. At the time I enjoyed but said to myself 'I must watch again'. Reason being there is a lot going on in this movie and one watch does not do justice. A Blu-Ray DVD was the answer once prices had settled a bit. And glad I am to have revisited. Mr Phoenix is excellent in portraying the tortured mind. Robert De Nero is good. The supporting cast all are good. The movie is a dark tale. But it holds the viewer from start to finish. I believe this movie will become a classic of the future. Just as a side issue, I fail to get the decline in DVDS and Blu-ray etc. OK I do have an OLED TV that is very good. But the picture quality from even standard DVD's is excellent. I also own the movie along with all the extras. One day methinks they'll come back just like vinyl. Anyway, Joker, top class movie.

This is my most favourite and unforgettable movie. Joker has covered everything to what mental health is, how it is formed from abuse, neglect, rejection and misinterpretation of those who hold power and control. It also represents on how professionals and those above in society are less educated and less life experienced in concerns of supporting those with medical conditions. Medical conditions are labels and those labels then are mistreated in inhuman way. I am a Joker fan, as all the actions of the character is understandable, for this film has made me empathise and sympathise of those who had and have to get by in life and it is in a human nature to seek comfort or go down the route that is unhealthy but understandable. What I am trying to say here is, its in human nature to have sensitivity and behave in ways that self - defends or self obstructs the individual to get by in life. Arthur / Joker the character's wants and needs was to make the world a better place for those with disadvantaged backgrounds / disabilities. Therefore, in the story through Arthur's journey with his mental health struggles with 'medical conditions that causes sudden and frequent laughter that in which does not match how he feels' is evident from the lifetime of abuse he had suffered. With the abusive timeline scale, he developed the smiles, calmness, and laughter as a coping mechanism when emotionally and psychologically hurt by others. This can be relatable to people with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorders (EUPD) / Borderline Personality Disorders (BPD) and Bipolar and more. As this movie is educational, not everyone would be able to understand it, only those who are open minded and those who feel they can relate to the character are the ones who are more likely to understand it and learn from it. Lastly, its those who can relate to the Joker character are the ones who could either make a positive influence in society or a negative result. This would all depend on how individuals are seen, or understood. If no understanding and discrimination is in place it can only lead to negative results. If understanding, equality and fairness is in place it can result in a positive direction. Sadly, in reality, no truly cares about those who are indifferent in society for this is why Joker is my no.1 favourite favourite movie.

I could sit here and write 2000 words on the joker and only scrape the surface, and would still probably not write anything that hasn't already been said. For me, the Joker is a masterpiece of cinema and storytelling that does not come round often. Joaquin Phoenix was the perfect choice to play this role and he performs as if he was born to play the joker. This film made me feel a full spectrum of emotions while watching it and it lived in my mind for weeks after, I couldn't stop thinking about it. So much of what happens to Arthur Fleck I think can witnessed in any place on earth, and its not a pleasant look. Throughout the film you should be appalled by Arthurs actions but I found myself rooting for him throughout. Understanding his rage and confusion with his life, wanting him to succeed. The film is bewildering, thought provoking, provocative, violent, emotional...the list goes on. If you are going to watch one film this year then watch the joker, it will make you question everything about modern society.

I am not going to get into the polemic that’s raging between hardcore dc fans and others. I’ve never liked comic books. I only know the characters through the films since it was a ‘bonus’ of my job to be invited or taken by fans to see comic books turned into live action films, amongst others. I worked in traditional animation, you did meet a lot of Marvel, dc, dic, etc. fans. To the true fans I am politely say “he’s not the real psychopath Joker? Who cares as long as this interpretation is brilliant”. I guess if I add “get a life” this comment will not appear, but I must do it for the sake of good, deep, thoughtful cinema. This film is so well researched it has the seal of approval of many psychiatrists. A psychopath cannot be cured. It’s not an illness they contract, it’s a state of being. They are scary but have only one tune, lack of empathy, enjoying causing pain to others, no notion of a difference between right and wrong -fine, that’s three- but they work hand in hand. Nicholson is scary whether or not he’s wearing make-up. Heath Ledger was a wonderful actor, his performance of Joker was great -though still a model psychopath- but it often felt to me like he was somehow impersonating Tom Waits in some of his live work or even interviews. (I love Tom Waits but I kept waiting Ledger to break into ‘The Piano Has Been Drinking”). Purists have been going on and on about details most people don’t even know about, having come to Joker via Batman films, not the comic. This film is profound. Everything from the script, the camera work, the music, (don’t get me started in the other argument: “Oh my! They used a Gary Glitter song”. It was perfect for that scene and the perv is behind bars... The storyline and the way it develops is amazing. Joker isn’t a psychopath, he’s a downtrodden, abused, laughed at, rejected, beaten man who already has cerebral lesions or neurological troubles caused as a child by his mother and her lovers. He’s odd. And society doesn’t care for oddity. Ours doesn’t either. He has empathy, loves his mother, is full of emotions, wants to make people laugh even though his life has never felt right or real to him, and these get trampled upon again and again until he truly becomes Joker: the very last scene when he leaves bloody footsteps as he exits the interview he had with his psychiatrist. I am not condoning murder, but we are talking about a fictional character who was born in a comic book. A little suspension of disbelief and a little tolerance aren’t too much to ask. Every person he has killed till this point do not deserve death, but they are rotten, including as it turns out his lying delusional abusive adoptive mother. The psychiatrist’s murder marks the entrance of Joker, SHE did not deserve it. Yet he’s still not a psychopath. Psychosis yes, psychopathy no. He has crossed a line, and is unlikely to turn back, but he’s not another psycho villain who has no history. The history of a psychopath would not elicit much sympathy. And that is the beauty of this film, the background it gives to an interesting maladjusted man whom society fails again and again. I’ve not spoken of Joaquin Phoenix’s performance yet because it is probable than a lesser actor might not have managed to convey this array of emotions, his original naivety, the symptoms of his lesions, the development of his character. Every time he dances I shudder. He has absorbed Arthur Fleck down to the bones. There are great actors out there, but not one could have given this performance without turning it into a caricature. His Arthur Fleck is as real as Joker. At last someone who really deserved an Oscar, and received it not to praise, thank, and flatter; but to draw parallels between the rejection and belittling of his character with the rejection and belittling of races, gender, species. Of difference. Of being the other. It was beautiful. I don’t see why this film should have cut the cord with Batman. Gotham is exactly the city that treads on the less fortunate -i.e. most everyone. Why should Bruce’s father be a nice man because he usually is? Forget those details. Keep the vaguest outline of Batman in you head, because the elements of future stories are there, be open-minded, and perhaps you’ll wish he was the real Joker in Batman -a complicated person, not a cardboard villain, not just another gratuitously cruel psychopath. Watch it again again and discover more and more subtleties. Hat off to cast, production/writing/directing team, not forgetting the crew. In an age of fluff that relies on special effects and gorgeous leads, Joker stands out proudly. And again, hat off Mr. Phoenix.