Allan Watched "Joker"
Chilling, indulgent, and startling to watch, Joker makes you question if effectively proving a point justifies a movie’s existence.
Gut Feeling
There’s a lot going on here. At its simplest level, Joker is a movie that effectively shows how a person can turn to madness, while lacking the action or creativity that its main character deserves. Joaquin Phoenix will almost definitely be nominated for Best Actor across all the major awards, and it would be well deserved. But what complicates my feelings on this extremely dark, tortuous to watch film are a couple things:
Is this even a comic book movie?
Was this movie necessary in the world we live in, taking such a plausible approach to how a mentally ill person can become a supervillain?
A Character Study Dressed as a Comic Book Movie
This isn’t a comic book movie. Instead, this is a character study of a mentally ill person who becomes a crazed killer because of how society neglects him, and drops him into the flesh of one of the great supervillains and comic book cities. This movie is wearing the clothes of the DC Universe, but it feels like it is just borrowing the names and imagery of this world we know well to justify its existence, rather than be an entry into comic book movie lore and really living in this world.
One of my main issues is that there is no action. The “action” is just a collection of straight forward murders, mostly unprovoked, with Joker laughs strewn throughout them. The most emotionally successful moments revolve around his search for information about his parents, and the rest of it feels like “well he’s officially snapped, so he’s just gonna murder people.”
Obvious, Indulgent Writing
The ties that this film forces to other characters in the DC Universe are extremely bland and predictable. You know the intention is for fans to feel like they are getting a treat, like when you realize a character we know is subtly appearing in Marvel films, but the surprise factor doesn’t exist. It’s as if they said, “We get to put easter eggs in here!” instead of doing it in a thematic or theatrical way. If the intention is to pull these threads moving forward in future films, there are a ton of challenges they will face to make it work.
As for how the violence was written in, it is all very indulgent and unnecessarily gruesome, instead of being led by a powerful narrative. I guess the point is that he is insane and delusional now so these violent acts don’t demand much prompting, but after a while I wanted to yell, “I get it! He’s insane and a killer now!”.
Best Comic Book Performance Since the Last Joker
I made what I thought was a mistake by watching The Dark Knight the other day, knowing I was going to see Joker. I was worried there would be no way Phoenix’s performance would hold up to Heath Ledger’s masterclass, which is still the greatest comic book performance ever, but you have to put this Joker in the conversation now. The pain in Phoenix’s whole body throughout the film is captivating, and the slow unraveling of an already pretty dark person works perfectly, even though it is almost cruel to watch. Phoenix’s emptying of his soul into this role is what makes this film passable, and frankly it is impossible to unsee.
Random Thoughts
The acting throughout is very good. Robert De Niro plays a great “Robert De Niro, but a famous late night host”, Zazie Beetz (Atlanta, Deadpool 2) is endearing and brings some much needed warmth to the film, and the other supporting clowns are really effective.
Frances Conroy is so good and has been in a million things, but she will always be Barney’s mom in my eyes, and frankly I can never stop thinking about it whenever I see her. It’s distracting.
This movie is worth seeing purely because it has both Gary Gulman (!!!) and Marc Maron (who plays a great Marc Maron, but this time a show producer).
Three really sharp and narratively sound title drops towards the end. Music to my ears.
Two people did leave for good after some of the most intense moments of the film, and honestly a lot of it is difficult to watch.
I know the point is that we need to have better empathy as a society to make the world a more peaceful place, but this film doesn’t quite spell it out as much as it borderline celebrates a mad man.
There really was not enough DC spin to this film. I refuse to accept it as a comic book film.
There were three teenagers who got kicked out of the theatre for being under 18 without a parent and they said their mom had to pick up their sister, and I truly wonder if that poor mom got her money back. But also those kids should not have seen that movie, they were like 13 and it is not easy to watch.
Quick Hits:
How many times have I seen this movie?
First time!
Where was I watching it?
In my comfy recliner-laiden theatre, back row, with a big ol’ popcorn and a large diet root beer.
Favorite trivia about the movie
A lot of it is shot in Jersey!
Favorite part
The scene where the Joker is trying to get his mom’s medical records is the best scene of the movie. Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta, Widows, If Beale Street Could Talk) is so damn good.
Least favorite part
The DC character reveals were weak AF.
Would I recommend this movie?
If you want to see Joker because it’s a comic book movie, don’t see this, because it really isn’t. If themes of depression, mental illness-driven violence, and indulgent murders are triggering to you, please do not see this film. I have had a hard time shaking the film from my mind.
So What Does Allan Give It?
One Thumbs Up. Overall, a score of 63. Joaquin Phoenix is absolutely incredible, but the writing and motive of the film leaves a lot to be desired.
