Joker: A Gritty New Take on a Classic

Joker is a psychological thriller film directed by Todd Philips and starring Joaquin Phoenix. For those who are wondering, Joker is not your typical DC superhero/supervillain movie; it is a unique stand-alone gritty movie that tells the story of mentally ill Arthur Fleck and his experiences in the unruly, crime-filled Gotham City. 

Right off the bat, this film is carried by Phoenix’s portrayal of the infamous DC character, the powerful soundtrack composed by Hildur Guðnadóttir, and the beautiful cinematography. All three of these elements blended into a rollercoaster of a film. As we watch Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness, we are left anxious in some scenes, never truly knowing what he is thinking. Other times we are fearful of what's to come. This was purposefully done to keep the viewer constantly invested in Arthur's life. For example, when Arthur is riding the train home, he gets beaten up by three businessmen and pulls out a gun without warning. He ended up killing the first two and hunting down the last one who attempted to crawl away. This scene is so gruesome, yet the audience can’t help but sympathize with Arthur, knowing he has lived a life of abuse. 

To me, one of the most impactful scenes was when Arthur Fleck first donned the costume of the Joker. The film takes the Joker’s iconic look and adds its own distinct flair, like the addition of blue diamonds on his eyes and the orange jacket. This scene represents the first time Arthur embodies the Joker’s persona, which the movie was building up to up until that point. The scene ends with Arthur walking out his apartment and dancing down the, now infamous, Joker Stairs in the Bronx. 

Another scene that impacted me takes place at the end of the film. In this scene, the Joker is surrounded by his followers, while Gotham City is rampant with riots, flames, and chaos. He dances, which is a trope used frequently in this film, and flashes his bloody grin. Despite this chaos, this scene felt satisfying, which can be attributed to the masterful cinematography. After two hours of watching Arthur Fleck’s struggles and insane antics, it was fitting to see the movie end with him in the madness of a burning city. 

Despite my praise, this movie was by no means perfect. I spoke with some of my friends who were not fond of many aspects, including the film’s pacing. In addition, many felt that the trope of Arthur doing bizarre dances was overdone and the inclusion of specific scenes was unnecessary. Some scenes, like the one when Arthur climbs on top of a fridge, didn’t seem to have much relevance to the rest of the film. While I can understand where my friends come from, I don’t believe these points take away from the enjoyment of watching and the powerful message of this new version of the classic Joker film.