We all watched Heath Ledger as Joker in the film 'The Dark Knight (2008)'. The sheer sarcasm and irony in people rooting for a villain whose laugh appears terrifying & unnecessary at the same time, cannot be missed. A comic villain was thurst upon us & we took him with glee. In truth, I only liked Heath Ledger as Joker. I never liked the Joker until today....
'Joker' directed by Todd Phillips is disturbing, delusional & deceptive at times. A simple background story of how Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) transforms into the Joker is detailed & sketched in different shades, touching various themes. The audience actually cheered the grotesque actions of a psychotic & hallucinating Arthur Fleck - this should not mean that all the people who watch the film have such violent tendencies. It is merely a testimony to the director's craft and to the sheer acting class & panache of Joaquin Phoenix. And a big credit to the screenplay that helped in creating a villian-sympathetic narrative.
Robert DeNiro sizzles in his little role - a patronising & condascending false role model that we all had in our respective lives. Music simply elevated the film, with two haunting songs adding depth. The climax - Joker's monologue set at the cusp of a cleverly potrayed battle of haves & have nots - ah! This is how a film should end. Be warned, the element of normalised gore may disturb you and as the Joker says... 'You wouldn't get it'.
But, I got it.
Joker (Warner Bros, 2019) by Todd Phillips
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