The world’s most iconic villain leaves his mark yet again in a film people just can’t stop talking about…
DC Comics’ Joker movie has been the subject of debate since it was first announced in 2017, with many rejecting the idea of exploring the origin of Batman’s enigmatic nemesis. More recently, the film’s controversy has stemmed from the messages it may send about mental health and the justification of violence. So, with so much seemingly stacked against it, how good actually is Todd Phillips’ gritty thriller?
One of the key things to understand about this film is that it’s a pretty big departure from the traditional take on the villain depicted in comic books and other movies – beyond a reimagining of the character, this is the creation of something brand new. While the spirit of the source material is there, it is but a single piece of the intricate puzzle that is Arthur Fleck, a mentally-ill clown-for-hire walking down a very dark set of stairs.
Phillips, Joaquin Phoenix and the rest of the crew craft Arthur’s tale with the utmost care from start to finish. Nothing is rushed nor wasted as audiences watch a chilling, multifaceted story weave itself together before their eyes, with surprises that will shake them to their core and inspire a multitude of different interpretations.
As expected, Joker does indeed send a lot of messages, many of which contradict each other – fitting for a character as crazy as the one Arthur eventually becomes. The narrative walks a very thin line, perhaps saying the wrong things to the wrong people as the Joker is almost portrayed in a heroic light at times.
However, Phillips’ approach to the killer’s conception isn’t as deterministic as many might assume, as there are numerous scenes where Arthur takes things much further than could ever be considered necessary. There’s a serious amount to unpack here, and if you’re left feeling uncomfortable by anything that is said or done, it’s probably intentional.
Of course, being about a clown, humour finds its way into the story on numerous occasions. More often than not, the gags are placed in some of the most tense scenes, causing some nervous laughter and contributing to the conflicting emotions the film brings about.
In many ways, the painful eyes behind Arthur’s uncontrollable cackling summarise the themes of the entire film. Phoenix is nothing short of phenomenal, showing us everything we need to know about the character with every breath, every grimace, every dance and of course every laugh. This is a villainous performance on the caliber of cinema’s greatest killers, such as Bale’s Bateman, Hopkins’ Hannibal and Ledger’s Joker before him.
Phoenix’s exceptional performance is accentuated by beautiful cinematography from Lawrence Sher, both with intimate close-ups and wide shots of the grimy Gotham City. Every scene is so deliberately composed, drenched with emotion and fit to be printed on a big glossy poster.
Joker’s exceptional soundtrack is the icing on the cake, with a rich and haunting score by cellist Hildur Guonadottir that adds even more weight to some of the film’s greatest scenes – the “Bathroom Dance” in particular might just be the highlight of the movie. For other stand-out scenes, a mix of powerful songs such as Sinatra’s That’s Life and Cream’s White Room are used to make it even more of a delight for the senses.
The film’s conclusion, while impressive, is a little less compelling than its set up as the Joker takes part in a chaotic clown revolution – it all just seems a step too far removed from the enthralling character-focused content that precedes it.
Additionally, despite being a much appreciated new voice within superhero-related movies, a lot of the film’s ground has already been covered before in other psychological thrillers, so perhaps a slightly punchier ending is what is missing from making Joker become a future classic.
Still, nobody is going to walk out of this film feeling disappointed. Despite being dreaded upon announcement and plagued with controversy in the run up to its release, Todd Phillips has created some captivating, unsettling and downright genius cinema in Joker.
By Jamie Morris
Feature image credit: Warner Bros.