Joker (2019) - Review

“Joker” opens with the 1972 Saul Bass-designed Warner Bros. logo (as seen in films like “Enter the Dragon” and “Barry Lyndon”), and then the film starts. There is no DC logo in between the Warner Bros. logo and the film, and I think that is how this film should be viewed. “Joker” is its own separate film that I believe shouldn’t be compared to the works of films in the DC cinematic universe.

Because what Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix bring here is a harrowing character study of a man affected by the neoliberal economics of his time along with the way people such as himself are treated by society as a whole. In a way, I see this as Todd Phillips’ cinematic debut. He has made many films before, all earning truckloads of money for his films such as “The Hangover” among other comedies. But through this film, I think it shows the beginning of a new career. This is the new Todd Phillips, who has taken the large step of bringing back the urgency that a coked up Martin Scorsese in the 1970s had with films such as “Taxi Driver,” to show the state of our world.

It’s interesting really, in how this film is receiving the same controversy and criticisms that “Taxi Driver” faced upon its 1976 release, with both following an antihero we feel sympathy for as they try to change a rotten society that they must live in whilst fears of incel extremism spread. But I believe Todd Phillips is a great new voice in cinema, and I say new voice for what he is bringing to cinema which he has never done before in his decade spanning career.

Joaquin Phoenix is another highlight of this film, as he brings what I believe to be the greatest portrayal of the Joker character yet as Arthur Fleck. At the start, we feel incredibly sympathetic for him, and see what a terrible life he has due to years of trauma and abuse he endured when young, and how he became through that. Although by the end, the sympathy is vanished for this man has become a monster, hellbent on getting vengeance on those who did him and many others wrong.

The acts he commits are horrific, and they are ultimately terrifying to view. Even though we know what a terrible life he lived, it is through what he does that our view changes. Phoenix’s performance is an act of unbridled fucking brilliance, as he makes us as the viewer be sympathetic at one point and then grow scared of him. He is truly one of the only actors that I have seen capable of going to such limit-defying lengths to deliver a great performance.

Those highlights really make this film what it is, along with some great production design and cinematography. I have really discussed in this review about the people and aspects that make it great as I don’t want to spoil this film for you in any way. The way it explores its themes and narrative are wholly original yet done many times before, and it feels fresh and vibrant. Yet through this, an extremely disturbing, violent and visceral experience is felt too and I feel that is why I love this film so much.

The many ways it makes you feel is something that only one other film from this year has done to me, which is Bong Joon-ho’s brilliant genre-bending masterpiece, “Parasite.” This film shouldn’t be talked about in depth, but rather it should be seen knowing as little as possible, and I hope that I have kept it this way for you as the film being spoiled does take away from this film’s perfection that is really gorgeous to see it unfold. I really don’t know of another way to discuss this film without spoiling it as a whole, due to how stunning this film is and that experiencing it in one way like this is the way to go.

To conclude this review, “Joker” is a perfect film that has to be seen to be believed, as it is truly perfect. A high 5/5.