Joker (2019)

The movie everyone's talking about, the movie that will crumble society and human decency as we know it. At least, according to the press for the last year or so who seem to think that a single movie can lead to horrific actions by its viewers. These modern critics must have never seen a movie before  but hey controversy sells I suppose.

For those of you living under a rock, 'Joker' has been a hot topic thanks to an increase in gun violence over the last few decades and like many similar controversies the film has become an easy target when it comes to "passing the buck" as it were. The irony here is the film itself plays with this, having scenes in which violence, poverty, and other misfortunes are blamed on everything but those committing these acts. It also wouldn't be a 2019 drama without alluding to our current presidency and portraying the rich as evil but 'Joker' uses these with a purpose and isn't as annoying as I expected. I can't believe I have to even say this but the simple truth is this: This movie will not make anyone commit violence or create chaos. These actions are entirely on the person who commits them and though they may hide behind makeup, or a video game, or whatever, it's ultimately those people who should be held responsible for what they do.

Okay, I have said my piece about the controversy and now it's time to get into the movie itself. Is it everything that's been hyped up at the various film festivals? Not really but is it a good movie? Yes but it's far from the perfect film it's been talked up to being. Of course the movie would be nothing without anything less than brilliance from Joaquin Phoenix and thankfully we do get that in 'Joker'. The various comparisons to Heath Ledger's 2008 performance is a given but this isn't a comic book movie and it's like comparing apples & oranges. They are both amazing in their own special ways and I will remember them both for many years to come. The film is more of a character study heavily inspired by Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver' & 'King of Comedy' and if you've seen those before you'll see many references throughout. The film discusses the theme of mental illness and one possible outcome if someone isn't given the proper care and influence.

The topic can be tricky because it can easily turn into a sappy sob story or exaggerate mental illness like many other films do. This is where the film's controversy is rendered moot: context. The film may want you to feel sympathy for Arthur's condition, his life, and the abuse he's had but not once does this picture ever ask you to feel sympathetic towards the increasingly dark and violent decisions Arthur makes. It depicts violence, but it doesn't condone it in any way that I could see. In a year where 'John Wick 3' and 'Rambo: Last Blood' came before the violence shown in 'Joker' is shocking sure but it's also minimal and has really been blown way out of proportion. The movie is accompanied by a haunting score by Hildur Guðnadóttir that could fit into any horror movie perfectly. It's bizarre and tingy sounds give the film that perfect sense of being uncomfortable as if we're in the same room as Arthur as he makes us more and more nervous.

The film's biggest negatives come from it's influences and it's DC Comics roots. The Wayne family is shown to be quite unsympathetic as Thomas Wayne is running for mayor who claims to be helping the downtrodden and fixing Gotham City but is only seen in fancy buildings in tuxedos. I get the filmmakers may have wanted to be topical by alluding to President Trump and all but we don't get to see the Wayne's enough to really know if they're bad people or just assumed to be due to their wealth and power. Young Bruce is shown to be a scowling mute child who only makes a cameo and even beloved butler Alfred is shown to be kind of a dick towards Arthur. The film could have simply mentioned them and we still would know this is a Batman related film but even then it's somewhat iffy. The film feels more like a Batman film because it's obligated to rather than the story truly connecting in any way to the comics.

As for influences like I said the similarities to 'Taxi Driver' & 'The King of Comedy' aren't exactly subtle and I'm not the first one to point any of this out. Though a few callbacks here and there and maybe a stylistic tone is acceptable, 'Joker' at times even takes plot points from these two films and at that point you might as well just commit piracy. 'Joker' is a film that doesn't warrant the controversy or the perfect scores it has received but it's still a damn fine picture overall. To say Joaquin Phoenix deserves an award for this is becoming a cliche at this point but it really all falls on him and he thankfully keeps the film afloat. I highly recommend you check it out with the thought that this is a drama rather than a full blown Batman flick and I think it'll really make you talk and think. If something like this can cause discussion after you've left the theater despite its flaws, that's something special.

4/5