SpectralTime
Since: Apr, 2009
09/18/2022 00:00:00
I admit, I was mostly turned away by the toxic fandom that already existed around the Joker, and then by the equally-toxic fanbase that quickly grew up around this film specifically, and all the critical praise in the world didn\'t quite change my mind before it left theaters.
I should probably give it a fair shake at some point, but I\'ll have to wait and see.
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An unorthodox comic book movie that isn't for everyone
The Joker's origin movie is one of those superhero movies that doesn't feel much like a superhero movie. This isn't always a bad thing, as Logan shows, but I have much more mixed feelings about this movie.
The story is basically about how Arthur Fleck, an aspiring comedian with a history of mental illness, became the supervillain known as The Joker. The entire concept in and of itself can be a deal-breaker for many people, since The Joker's ambiguous origins are often a key part of his character(although there are exceptions, like Batman (1989)).
The film is oppressively dark and gritty. Very little good happens, which arguably detracts from the sense of tragedy; good tragedies build up hope before crushing it and beginning the downward spiral to the Downer Ending. The number of likable characters can be counted on one hand; again, tragedies work best when the characters are sympathetic enough that you feel bad for them, even if their flaws bring about their downfall.
The setting is largely grounded, and doesn't include any of the costumed members of Batman's rogue's gallery. Instead, it deals with real-world problems like sanitation strikes, mental health professionals who can't do much for their patients, and those who enjoy picking on the vulnerable members of society. It adds to the realism, but it's still a bit hard to swallow how Arthur manages to kickstart social unrest just by killing three people on the spur of the moment.
The narrative is shrouded in ambiguity, since many characters lie or make statements of dubious veracity, and Arthur's grasp on reality is tenuous at best. It allows viewers to come up with their own interpretations of events, but just as often comes off as confusing.
That said, the cast members give some good performances, especially Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur and Robert De Niro as Murray.
All in all, Joker is not a movie I'd wholeheartedly recommend to Batman enthusiasts, but it might be enjoyable for those who like dark and gritty movies about decent people who gradually become villains.