JOKER
A
There are so few brilliant films, written, directed and acted in such a magnificent manor, that when one comes along, it can be challenging to praise all of the areas in which it deserves credit. A lot of writers & directors have issues in which they feel so strongly about expressing, that one can often get wrapped up in their passion, rather than the issue at hand. JOKER was told in such a beautiful way that while the subject of mental illness was apparent, it never got in the way of a good story or a good performance.
Joaquin Phoenix gave such a standout performance that even though you knew other actors were in this film, it was difficult to notice them. His presence demanded undivided attention. His action, a sole focus. Not only was a rapport built with him as an audience member in terms of empathy, but it was border telekinetically. Through his command of energy, you felt his pain, his anguish and his insanity.
Parts of this film were hard to sit through. Disturbing. Not because of their grotesque nature, but because of their uncomfortable familiarity. Arthur was a manifestation of the depression, the hurt, the confusion and the disappointment that so many of us feel.
I found this version of the character to by sympathetic to a point. Not the born psychopath that so many have dreamt up the Joker to be, but instead a man who kept fighting the urges that finally got the best of him. The Joker in so many other renditions has been one who killed out of the joy of killing. Purely evil. This Joker was one of vengeance. Even within his own psyche, as off centered as it was, justified & fair within the rules of his own mind.
In BATMAN 1989, Jack Nicholson's Joker kills his right hand man, Bob The Goon, out of pure frustration. That is something Joaquin Phoenix's Joker would have never done. The three men on the subway, an act of pure vengeance. His other murders, his mom, Randall & Murray, reactions to betrayal. It's clear that he doesn't kill just to kill. His actions are motivated and as he put it quite clearly, within his own demented philosophy, deserved.
He let Gary go, even thanking him for being genuine and sincere to him. He had to know Gary would expose him and lead the police to him, but he let him go anyway. Then seeing the fear in a young Bruce Wayne's eyes (which I felt was the best scene of the whole film) he let Alfred go as an act of solace.
I could go on and on about the character & how brilliant it was written & brought to life by Phoenix but at this point I'm just rambling.
Moving on....
The only part of the film I didn't like was Thomas Wayne's portrayal. I understand that the film had a narrative and in order to achieve the objective, it was felt that Wayne needed to be an overbearing, political charlatan who only played nice in front of the camera. I guess I've always liked the humanitarian, philanthropist that Thomas Wayne has been displayed as in so many other renditions. This one just didn't appeal to me & I'm not sold that he had to be written in such a callous way in order to get across the agenda. I think a misunderstanding, a misconstrued meeting could have achieved the same effect. Something along the lines to still drive Arthur over the edge, while still keeping the integrity of the Thomas Wayne character in tact. They obviously felt different.
I do appreciate how the Joker & Joe Chill finally came together as one involving the Waynes deaths though. I know a lot of BATMAN fans were vastly disappointed when the Joker in the 1989 film ended up being the one to kill young Bruce's parents. I appreciate how this film took the two seemingly isolated incidents and spliced them together. I thought that was very clever.
I feel like saying more about this film. I feel like I probably didn't do a good enough job of writing this review. Seems I'm always busy. Always tired and never have enough energy or thought to write these properly anymore. Upon a well rested day, I discover vocabulary within my consciousness that I didn't realize I knew. Upon sleep deprivation, I have to check to make sure I spelled my own name correctly.
Damn good movie. Just wish it didn't resonate with me as much as it does. I'm not homicidal, nor do I appreciate anyone being enough of an ass to think for a moment that I would be. However, minus that, I relate to Arthur and empathize with him far more than I would like to.
That and I don't smoke. Which was my other gripe of the film. Guy seemed like he could run Boston Marathons without getting winded & yet all he ever did was sit around and smoke.
