Joker

Green Hair Don't Care

DC films took a bit of a gamble when they not only decided to go against the grain and help create a dark origin story of one of comic book's best known villains, but also hire Todd Phillips as the director - an odd choice for someone best known for being at the helm for The Hangover series. That gamble certainly seems to have paid off however after Joker was met with widespread approval, being tipped for Oscar success in a few weeks time and generating the highest ever gross earnings at the box office for an r-rated (That's a 15 for UK viewers) film.

So does Joker live up to all the hype? Firstly it is unusual comic book film in that there is very little in the way of comic book action. There are no city destroying fisticuffs, no super powered characters or villains that want to take over the universe. Even the pointy eared winged one fails to make an appearance.

What we do get is an in depth and disturbing character study that could be about a normal guy (that's normal guy in inverted commas). Of course this is perhaps one of the aspects of the film that has helped garner the success already mentioned, since you don't have to be a comic book fan to fully appreciate Joker and as such it has a much more universal appeal.

We are introduced to Arthur Fleck, a down and (almost) out individual who dresses up as a clown sign spinner for a job, and has ambitions to become a stand up comedian.  Arthur also lives with and cares for his mentally ill mother but has acute mental health issues of his own along with an unfortunate condition that causes him to laugh uncontrollably when anxious. By showing Arthur as having to cope with all these problems it's obvious the film aims to paint the character in a sympathetic light, which does work to an extent. He is trodden on by most of those around him, not least by Batman's father Thomas Wayne who, in a clever inversion of the traditional Batman universe, here could potentially be the true villain.

We feel sorry for Arthur, but are prevented from having true sympathy for him by the way he almost masochistically revels in his victim-hood whilst possessing an air of narcissism and self entitlement.

Joker takes many cues from films like The King of Comedy (the casting of Robert DeNiro as a highly business orientated talkshow host being a knowing wink to this inspiration) and like Rupert Pupkin from that film, Arthur Fleck is deluded and self aggrandising. His dream to become a comedian is hopeless because he just isn't funny, with his social awkwardness making people feel uneasy  both on and off the stage. One scene where he attempts some stand up in bar is quite  brilliantly seat squirmingly cringe worthy.

Whether the viewer sympathises with Arthur or not, Joaquin Phoenix completely embodies the role, carrying the film almost completely on his wraith like shoulders. Phoenix is brilliant, bringing his acting A game creating a character who's decent into madness is often very uncomfortable watch. Once the switch flicks and Arthur begins to act on all that suppressed baggage, it is not only shocking but believable.

The City of Gotham is always like a character in itself in the world of Batman and with Joker this is no exception. With tinted yellow hues, almost as if the streets are expelling poison gases, the Gotham painted by director Phillips is one seen not from the vantage point of a skyscraper perched superhero, but from the ground; dirty and dingy with everyone so involved in the rat race that there is little room for compassion or community.

As Arthur begins to enact his own warped sense of justice on those who defy him, it becomes apparent that there are many Arthur Flecks struggling to get by in Gotham and he becomes symbol of the underclass in order for them to express their rage. One major criticism of Joker is that it ends once it seems to only just get going, but really, it is a clever move by the producers to leave things open ended, giving room for a possible sequel - which after the film's success seems highly likely.

Joker is a film that will continue to divide opinion, but it is definitely worth seeing, if not only for Phoenix's performance which is Oscar worthy, but for an original, thought provoking, if at times uncomfortable take on the traditional comic book movie.