Movie Breakdown: Joker

Pre-Screening Stance:

The publicity hurricane that has accompanied Joker wore me out weeks ago, but I’m still interested in seeing the film.

Post-Screening Ramble:

Obviously, there’s still a few months left in 2019, but I’m certain that Joker is going to be the weirdest movie that I review all year.  Here’s two particular reasons why.  Despite its titular character, it’s not a fun, funny or entertaining film.  This is a fully R-rated, slow paced, unflinching look at the lack of support and care that poor people with mental health issues receive.  It’s also not a comic book movie at all.  You could easily swap out the Gotham setting, the Wayne family and a few of the just-for-the-hell-of-it tie-ins that are in Joker, and you’d have the same exact film.

To be frank, this isn’t the kind of movie where you walk out of it and go “I liked it.”  Instead it’s something you have a mixed experience with and then likely find yourself without much of a desire to revisit it.  Joaquin Phoenix turns in a powerhouse performance as Arthur/Joker, a man desperately trying to exist in a world that doesn’t care about his existence, but his take on the character isn’t wild and electric like Heather Ledger’s, or cool like Jack Nicholson’s, or zany like Cesar Romero’s – it’s just … sad.  Does it fit the movie?  Absolutely.  Phoenix’s physical work here is completely brutal, off-putting and as noteworthy as can be, but it’s not something that I’d describe as likeable.  But then again, that’s just Joker in general.

This is a well made, poignant film with an award-worthy performance from its lead, but it’s so heavy and dark that I can’t recommend it as something you should just casually catch this weekend.  Definitely see it only when your head is in the right spot for a slugfest.

One Last Thought:

Even though I gave the film a hesitant nod of approval, I do think that it’s exactly what DC should be doing with all of its characters.  Seriously, one-off movies that feature inspired stories and direction would be such a win for them, especially since they’re never going to catch up with Marvel.