Joker

Probably the only movie I had a real problem to finish. Fantastic portrayal of one of the most terrifying villains of all time. All aspects of the story and its execution work perfectly. Joaquin gives a chilling performance. Precision work, but I'll probably never watch the film again. (2019.10.03)

I didn't experience very godly feelings with this film, but Todd Phillips wasn’t going for that in the slightest. In the purest sense of the word, Joker is a dirty, gritty, and very powerful film that doesn't worry too much about promoting violence. *SPOILER ALERT* If I were twenty years old and pissed off at the whole system, I'd probably take to the streets, too. *END SPOILER*. Phillips' Joker is a universal model of the boundless arrogance of the upper classes who regard Arthur Fleck and his ilk as inferior individuals. The demonic Joaquin Phoenix, in the least comic book portrayal of the Joker, then shows that the consequences of such arrogance and reckless superiority on the part of his "betters" can be pretty damn serious. Even if the film completely legitimizes the use of violence when a human being is treated as the ultimate non-entity, it still works very well on the level of a "journey into the depths of the Joker's soul", providing perhaps the deepest insight into the psyche of DC's ultimate bad guy to date. On the other hand, I'm glad the whole project stands apart from the comic book universe as a whole, because I can't imagine any connection or even a sequel, either within the DCEU or some "darker branch" of it. (2019.10.06)

I hardly ever watch comic book movies because they usually say nothing to me. I was only tempted by the Joker because the title role was played by Joaquin Phoenix, who has been one of my favorite actors for many years. I'm used to anything from him, yet I was literally shocked at the bravura of his delivery of the failed comedian Arthur Fleck. More than once my smile froze on my lips, the sight of his mentally disturbed clown. Fortunately, the movie is quite different from the classic comic book it is based on. I am pleasantly surprised that ultimately it is actually a psychological drama with strong social and societal implications. (85%) (2022.04.22)