Movie Review: Joker (2019)
You knew I was going to review this one, right?
I went into this with excitement and trepidation. Excitement because I've read comics that did deep-dives into character-driven stories before; they're not uncommon. The best ones are often about background/side-characters or just told from a completely different perspective. This is the first comic-based movie that seemed to want to do that.
I went into this with excitement and trepidation. Excitement because I've read comics that did deep-dives into character-driven stories before; they're not uncommon. The best ones are often about background/side-characters or just told from a completely different perspective. This is the first comic-based movie that seemed to want to do that.
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While I don't mind a good ponder now and again, I typically like my movies to be a story told to me rather than something I have to decipher to find the meaning of life. Call me shallow, I am who I am. Joker very pleasantly surprised me. I feel like it took me through the wringer, emotionally, but it was never boring, there was never a wasted moment, everything made sense and I got a very clear ending (even if the internet is debating that).
So, to wrap up my initial breakdown, while I would not put this film in the category of "art house," I would absolutely describe it as "art." Film-wise, I'd say it was good-old-fashioned noir film that stayed suspenseful throughout. Set in 1981, it had the right music, references and costuming to really pull you into that era. The cinematography was spectacular. I especially enjoyed the running and the riot scenes.
So, the acting. I paused the movie at one point to remark to my husband that I had yet to see any bit of Joaquin Phoenix. I only saw Arthur Fleck. Like, I always thought Phoenix was a great actor, but he made me believe he was this guy and that is worth everything in a movie like this. The casting was well-done all around since at no point did I feel jarred out of a scene. Just really well done.
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There were many, but the one that stood out the most, I think, was the talk show scene. Just, that whole damn thing.
FAVORITE CHARACTER:
Arther Fleck, obviously. Equally easy to root for and terrifying, his evolution was both natural and organic and enthralling to watch.
QUOTE:
QUOTE:
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RATING:
Twelve-million out of ten. I need to see it again to see if it still makes me feel this way, but I was slyly smiling at the end of the film and I liked how it ended.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Did you like this movie as much as I did? What do you agree or disagree with? Anything I missed? Let me know in the comments!
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