Joker (2019) Review

Title: Joker

Year: 2019

Director: Todd Phillips

Country: US

Language: English

It's almost insulting to compare Joker (2019) to any other comic movie before it, as Todd Phillips' "controversial" (in quotes because the media is entirely responsible for making up the fake controversy surrounding the film) goes above and beyond what is expected of the genre. It's the pinnacle; nothing in Marvel or DC has ever or will ever reach its level. We might as well call it a wrap and put Hollywoods' resources to better use. 

In Gotham City, mentally-troubled comedian Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is disregarded and mistreated by society. He then embarks on a downward spiral of revolution and bloody crime.

Clearly inspired by the pictures of Martin Scorsese, Joker is reminiscent of Taxi Driver (1976) and King of Comedy (1982). I would call it "homage" rather than a rip-off as this film goes off in its own unique direction becoming a critique of mental health, society at large and of the media. Todd Phillips dares to point out that the media is complicit in the deterioration of society's mental health and the media responds by attempting to incite a theatre shooting. 

Joker makes everyone, including the viewer, the  villain. Unlike, say, Avengers, Joker portrays violence pretty realistically. It's shocking, gruesome, hard to watch. It feels like a punch in the gut, which is how violence should make you feel irl. Phoenix's character is grounded and steeped in realism. Unlike Heath Ledger's impersonation in Dark Knight (2008 there are no catchphrases or funny moments, there is nothing to "like" about this man. 

The set design, lighting and cinematography deserve a great amount of praise as well. They add to the unsettling atmosphere and give Gotham an implied "upper class vs. middle class" civil war that is slowly more obvious as the run-time goes by. Joker is a must see if you can handle feeling like crap afterwards.