By Lauren Mittleman
Features Editor
The latest “Joker” film offers a fascinating new perspective into the life of DC’s iconic comic book character and tells an insightful origin story for the well-known villain.
“Joker” is a riveting, intensely cynical film that leaves the audience shocked with its ambiguity. While controversy arose due to the movie’s supposed glorification of a killer, exceptional acting and casting make it a must-see.
Released on Oct. 4, “Joker” is directed by Todd Phillips, who co-wrote the film with Scott Silver. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker, reviving the famous arch-nemesis of Batman with an origin story set in the early 1980’s.
The film follows the life of mentally ill Arthur Fleck, a man with a day job as a clown in Gotham City who aspires to be a stand-up comedian. Fleck falls into a life of violent crimes, utter chaos and pure madness, leading to his transformation into the villainous Joker.
The strongest aspect of the film is the acting. Phoenix’s performance as the Joker is what brings the film together as a whole. His uncomfortable smile and laughter sends chills through the audience, making him the perfect actor for the role. His captivating performance is borderline disturbing, proving to be all the more intriguing.
“Joker” is an enthralling film for those who have no knowledge of the Joker’s history in the DC comics universe, making it a versatile and enjoyable experience in the theater. While the character of the Joker is based off of DC Comics and previous film adaptations, this version is a stand-alone film, so no prior knowledge is necessary.
Phoenix’s character’s pseudonym is an average person in this version of the Joker’s story, making the story line more realistic and allowing the audience to empathize with what Arthur Fleck is going through. Previous tellings of the Joker’s backstory involve absurd, unrealistic reasons as to why he morphed into the violent killer he is, but the events that lead to Fleck’s insanity in this film are far more sensible; he is bullied, abused and feels overlooked by society.
The setting of the film is exceptional in its historical accuracy. Small details, such as the cars in the background and costume choice, all match the time period of the early ‘80s. This transformed the viewers’ experience by immersing themselves into the film
“Joker” is an outstanding film that takes the audience through an emotionally thrilling ride. The film’s outstanding cast takes the twisted story to a whole new level, with the help of strong attention to detail and a universally entertaining experience. “Joker” leaves no details out but still leaves the audience yearning for more.
Released on Oct. 4, “Joker” is rated R and is playing in theaters nationwide.
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