Review: JOKER Tells a Super Dark Gut-Wrenching Story and is One of The Best Films of The Year
There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding director Todd Phillips’ Joker movie. Lots of people and the media are saying it’s a dangerous movie that could inspire violence. I attending a press screening and the security to get into that screening was super tight. It’s been interesting to see people’s reactions to the film, especially from those who haven’t even seen it.
Well, after having seen it, I can tell you that this is a super freakin’ dark and gut-wrenching story. The film is a heavy character study that follows a man name Arthur Fleck, who is seriously messed up in the head. But, while he is trying to live a good and decent life, he is constantly being bullied, taken advantage of, and harassed. Society has tossed him to the curb and all of these things lead to a complete mental break that takes him down the disturbing path to become The Joker.
Joaquin Phoenix gave such an incredible and powerful performance. I was in complete awe watching him bring this character to life. The look in his eyes gleaming with complete insanity. It’s easily the best performance I’ve seen this year and there’s no doubt that he’ll be flooded with Best Actor nominations. Just wait until you see him in the film for yourself, his performance is amazing.
While the movie is an original story that gives us a new vision of The Joker and his origin, this vision is very much Joker. There are certain scenes in the film are 100% things that The Joker would do and say. The film is also filled with moments where I found myself laughing, at the same time, I wasn’t sure if I should be laughing because of how jet black the subject matter is. But, knowing The Joker and the kind of character he is, it’s hard not to laugh during these moments. That story also features some shocking turns of events that I didn’t see coming.
I think what makes this movie scary for some people is that Arthur Fleck is a relatable character. For anyone who has been bullied, or has constantly been beaten down in life, you will find common ground with this character. I did, and I didn’t think I would! So when a person can relate to someone like Arthur, who completely snaps in the most violent of ways, that worries people. You don’t want a movie like this to give a reason to push someone over the edge. But, there are lots of movies that have been made that can do this.
The movie had an interesting effect on me after seeing it. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The thoughts that were going through my mind about the film were so heavy that I wasn’t able to sleep the night after I saw it. It was kind of like one of those crazy fever dreams, but I was awake and replaying moments of the film in my head and breaking it down. It was a long and weird night.
Joker is an incredible movie and it’s easily one of the best films of the year. Like a lot of movies that carry some kind of controversy, some people are going to love it, while others will hate it. It’s also going to spark strong conversations among people.
Todd Phillips directed the shit out of this movie and delivered something that people are going to be talking about for years to come.
