Joker – ★★★★★

Certificate – 15
Directed By – Todd Phillips
Starring – Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Frances Conroy, Zazie Beetz, Brett Cullen, Marc Maron.
Running Time – 122 Minutes (2 Hours 2 Minutes)

Joker was a film I never thought we needed, however once leaving the screening I now believe this film has changed the genre and If anything Warner Bros and director Todd Phillips should be praised for having the balls for telling and releasing this story.

Which is what I’m going to do.

What Is Joker About?

An original, character study looking at Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) struggling finds his meaning in life only to be continually beaten down. Fleck gets caught in a cyclical existence of apathy and cruelty then betrayal. A chain of terrible decisions leads to him finding his meaning.

Is It Any Good?

Joker is not only the best movie of 2019 but also one of the greatest comic book movies of all time and will be gamechanger of the genre. Honestly, everyone involved in the should be praised for even doing a movie like this.

Phoenix a phenomenal, Oscar-winning, performance. From the moment he comes on screen he grabs you and never lets you go.

At first, Arthur is a character you route for and understand some of the actions he takes. However, as his actions become more and more horrific and you being to hate him.

On the other hand, as he transforms into this person, he becomes relax and finds his meaning in the world and it’s utterly terrifying.

For a movie that film twitter and film commentators have been reporting about the controversy, I feel like it’s missing the point.

It shouldn’t focus on “if someone with mental illness might do something because of this movie” in fact it something people have been asking for is more money in social facilities.

I think as the film continues De Niro’s brilliant supporting role of talk show host Murray Franklin becomes more important with a scene that covers the controversy and nails it on the head.

I think people have such a reaction is because it feels too real and that’s a compliment to Phillips. His Gotham is clearly a look at New York in the late 70s/early 80s, it’s dark, depressing with nods to Taxi Driver.

Meanwhile, within the darkness, the horror, there’s injections of humour that helps you relax before it goes back to kicking you in the bollocks.

Away from the acting and direction, Joker is a truly beautiful movie to look at and that’s down to the superb cinematography of Lawrence Sher and Hildur Guonadottir score is incredible and her Joker score is hunting.

This is the first film I ever left loving a film but felt bad for loving it as I’m still stewing and will likely continue as the public is it.

Finally, speaking of Oscars, this movie will be frontrunning in a lot, especially Best Film and Actor, at a minimum of five.

Anything Bad About The Film?

I have one incredibly small, nip picking issue and that’s someone to do with the Wayne’s and that’s all I’m saying.

Verdict

A masterpiece of cinema and in the comic book genre, an acting masterclass by Phoenix and a film we’ll be talking about years to come.