"Joker" (2019) Review

“Joker” is cinematically perfect and disturbingly imperfect.

Directed by: Todd Philips

Rated: R

Runtime: 2:02

Review by: Livi Edmonson

You may know the Joker from his ongoing feud with Batman in “The Dark Knight”, or maybe you know the Joker as Harley Quinn’s loyal lover in “Suicide Squad.”  But trust me, you have never seen a Joker like this one in director Todd Philips’s contemporary, arthouse approach to the villain. Joaquin Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck: a failed comedian who no matter how hard he tries, lacks the social skills and human connection with other people in Gotham City. Arthur’s only jobs are to play a clown when one is needed at work, and take care of his ill mother. Eventually, the constant bullying and isolation Arthur receives from the world around him turns him into a mad-man mastermind, aka the Joker.

As many probably can tell from the online reviews and various critical dossiers, “Joker” has been received many mixed reviews from critics and rightfully so --- for, I am still trying to figure out my exact thoughts. Although, one thing is unarguable: the aesthetics are all in place. By aesthetics I simply mean that the cinematography is spectacular, the directing is incredible, and the acting is Oscar-worthy. This film truly is Joaquin Phoenix’s best and easily an all-time high in his career. However, it was the screenwriting and the narrative as a whole that I found hard to swallow.

When it was first announced that this version of the Joker was being made, it was often said by the film’s producers that they wanted this film to be the darkest of them all. Let me tell you, it is dark alright. I appreciate the raw, authenticity of the film, especially that of Phoenix’s performance. But there is a fine line between “dark” and “morbid” and this film definitely has crossed into the morbid territory. Even though it is rated “R” for violence, the violence was not only extremely graphic but also too realistic to be portrayed in a cinematic showcase. Quite frankly, the film glorified gun violence in everyday life --- not in a “villain versus superhero” way or even horror genre kind of way that audiences are used to seeing. Many are claiming that this film portrays Joker as the hero, not the villain. However, it is difficult to feel sympathy for his character or even worship him as a hero as he starts to find his power in his gun and how he can shoot people to be noticed. 

If you are expecting a little bit of the classic comic, Batman versus Joker references to be in the film, do not expect too much. Though, there are a few scenes with a young Bruce Wayne in the prequel --- setting up the new Matt Reeve’s direction of Robert Pattinson’s “Batman” quite perfectly. But ultimately, there is not enough of the classic story there to make the theme of darkness even a tiny bit acceptable. 

All in all, “Joker” has its beautiful moments, mainly due to Joaquin Phoenix’s flawless, method acting and the vibrant cinematography. Though as far as content, I would strongly advise looking at a parent’s guide before you take teens or even let your teens go, as well. If you are like me and do not have a stomach for violence, you can expect to be disappointed with the film because of how far the violence is taken. “Joker” seemed to have great intentions with its suggested “bullying is bad” theme that is being advertised, but at the end of the day, the Joker failed to rise above the bullies and became an even bigger, murdering bully himself, which is not a moral audiences want films today to teach. Minus the violence, blood, and gore, the film gets a 9/10 for me and is even Oscar-worthy. But when you add back in the dark parts, I can only give it a 4/10 based on the nightmares I have already had. Go at your own risk.