Item: Joker
Rating: 9
Author: Paul Shirey

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

After WB began rolling out their ambitious DC slate, attempting to create a cinematic universe akin to the MCU, the results came back mixed, albeit successful for the most part. But, as things have shifted to focus more on individual films rather than the interconnectivity of it all, an opening came about for singular tales. Enter JOKER, an exceptionally ambitious project from writer/director Todd Phillips and Scott Silver (8 MILE, THE FIGHTER), which focuses on arguably the most popular comic book villain of all time, but without any ties to the broader DC Universe. The last incarnation of the character came in the form of Jared Leto's modern gangster take in David Ayer's SUICIDE SQUAD, which generated mixed reactions rather than the heaps of praise that came when Jack Nicholson portrayed the laughing maniac in Tim Burton's BATMAN and Heath Ledger posthumously took home an Oscar for his rendition in Christopher Nolan's THE DARK KNIGHT. So, where does that leave Joaquin Phoenix in the pantheon of Joker actors? The result may surprise you (or may not, depending on how you feel about Phoenix as an actor) and the film itself almost certainly will.

Todd Phillips isn't the first person you think of to direct a JOKER movie, but from that first teaser for the film we saw it became readily apparent that he had an angle and a vision for what he was creating. I'm happy to say that all the teases are perfectly in sync with what he delivered. JOKER is a finely tuned, purposely shot, intricately woven tale of madness, revenge and betrayal that features an absolutely mesmerizing performance from Joaquin Phoenix. From the opening shot and every scene afterwards we're treated to a film that is absolutely focused on the story it's telling, building the journey in a slow burn reveal that unfolds with mystery, violence and hypnotizing energy. It's an homage to the films of the late 70s and early 80s, creating an air of urban grit, mixed with the politics, social commentary and in-your-face brutality of the era, all while never getting too far off the leash in terms of being connected to a comic book world.

What struck me early on was that every frame of film is shot with care, much like you'd see in an early Coppola, Scorsese or Lumet film. Quite simply, it's gorgeous. Phillips longtime cinematographer Lawrence Sher ups his game as much as Phillips does as a director, making something truly special. Even if you happen to hate the movie, there's no denying the absolute beauty of how it's shot, which you simply don't see enough of these days. The other aspect that hooked me immediately was the score by Hildur Guðnadóttir (who provided an evocative score for HBO's Chernobyl), which is haunting and beautiful at once, creating an enthralling soundtrack for the titular character that's unlike any he's ever had. It fits the film like a glove and, like all great scores, becomes a part of the movie and the character.

The story follows Arthur, a notably disturbed man who works as a clown, while living with and tending to his sick mother. He's a social outcast living in a time and place that seems to be falling apart around his ears. While his mother (cast perfectly with Six Feet Under's Frances Conroy) holds out hope for help, Arthur can't see past the ugliness, even as he deals with an ironic condition that causes him to laugh uncontrollably in stressful situations. Like many anti-heroes of the 70s and 80s, Arthur is confused, hopeless, delusional and ultimately, as he discovers, capable of lashing out. In many ways, it's almost the perfect profile of the birth of a serial killer, but Arthur can be further deconstructed via his comic roots, which the film doesn't shy away from, even if not overt in its execution. As Arthur discovers who he really is (or, rather, who he thinks he is), we witness his rise, which if you're measuring between good and evil, would actually be his fall. By all accounts this is an origin story, but take a few pieces off the board and you could very well call the film Arthur rather than JOKER and none would be the wiser of its comic book roots, which pulls from all manner of past comic tales without ever settling on any one particular take.

The supporting cast is strong here with Robert De Niro having a significant presence in the film as a talk show host that Arthur admires. Zazie Beetz is a welcome presence and offers up a small glimmer of hope in Arthur's crazy world. Bryan Tyree Henry and Marc Maron appear in just one scene each, but make for interesting characters in roles that could've been anyone. Brett Cullen makes for a particularly cold and business-like Thomas Wayne, which will no doubt draw comparisons to certain high-level politicians, but shows a certain strength and unflinching demeanor that would befit a characteristic passed on to his son, the future Caped Crusader. Everyone, regardless of the size of their role, plays an important part of Arthur's journey and in more ways than one contribute to who he ultimately becomes.

As for Phoenix; he embodies Arthur completely. At this stage, you know that an actor of his caliber could pull off the role, but how well is always at question. The most stunning aspect of Phoenix's take on the character is that it's so unlike any other incarnation of The Joker, yet still puts a stamp on the legacy. Never once did I compare Phoenix to Nicholason, Ledger or Leto while watching the film. I was completely immersed in how HE became The Joker, not how he measured up to others. And, by the time he made his full transformation, I was fully invested, fully transfixed and ready to watch his journey continue. Pheonix creates a variety of laughs that fit the character at different moments and emotions throughout the film and mannerisms that harken back to the comics, while being uniquely new to the big screen. The committment and absolute immersion into the role by Phoenix is nothing short of amazing and something that will bring audiences back for repeat viewings. It's another example of why Phoenix is one of the best actors working today.

While the film addresses its comic roots it never lives and breathes within them. Yes, it takes place in Gotham City and there are numerous callbacks to various aspects of it, but you don't necessarily feel that you're in a superhero world. It all feels very real, if even just slightly off center, but it absolutely embraces the connections you may well expect (or hope) to see in many ways. That said, this is The Joker's journey. What that means to each person that sees it will be something different. JOKER is as ambiguous as it is enthralling and it will no doubt inspire much discussion, think pieces, theories and debates long after it leaves theaters. Some will likely try to weaponize it for their politics, while others will admire it for its cinematic grace, but regardless of where you fall in your reaction, it's a movie you'll be talking about and that's a hell of an achievement in itself.

If I have any misgivings about the film, it's mostly just the comic nerd within me that would love to see this character more immersed in the comic universe, but I also realize that's more of a selfish gesture than genuine criticism. I fully expect audiences to either love or hate the film, which will be largely dependent on how they deal with the slow burn aspect, the hardcore violence, muddled comic origins or sociopolitical takeaways. It really can be whatever you want it to be in that regard. It's most certainly the darkest take on a popular comic book villain we've seen to date, but I think that's something audiences are finally ready for after enduring more than a decade of the superheroic aspects of the genre. The success of Amazon's The Boys is a good indicator of that as well and JOKER may not be as cheeky or excessively gory, but it's absolutely a welcome outlier to the influx of formulaic superhero films (which I also happen to love). Phillips and Phoenix have crafted a truly unique take on this character and raised the bar of their individual work to boot, paving the way for (hopefully) a wealth of more diverse, compelling and riskier takes on these iconic characters that will challenge our perceptions and leave us with something to chew on for years to come.