After the cringe-worthy performance of Jared Leto in Suicide Squad, I thought Heath Ledger was going to be the last Good Joker. But then when I read about Joaquin Phoenix helming the next Joker movie, I was hopeful. Still it’s not surprising to see a great actor in a badly directed movie. I was skeptical about Todd Philips whose best known for Hangover series. But all my doubts were put to rest when I watched the movie. This movie is going to be a modern classic in the coming times. Here’s the Joker movie review.
Joker movie review:Â
Story
Arthur is a middle-aged guy living in Gotham with his sick mother. He works as a clown-for-hire for a company. He aspires to be a standup comedian. Arthur is simultaneously struggling with mental illness and is barely keeping it together with the help of medicines. But things soon get out of control when he faces violent confrontation along with the government stopping the medicine supply.
Direction
Todd Philips who earlier has done mostly comedy movies like Hangover series has done an excellent job. He keeps the direction gritty, real and hardly loses its focus. There are even some odd comic timing like Arthur laughing in comedy club at wrong jokes that works beautifully. A scene when Arthur kills for the first time and then dances as we see the Joker for the first time seems wrong yet beautiful. Similar to a scene where Joker is in the middle standing amongst the people he has inspired too is amazing( I cheered when this happened and it felt wrong and right at the same time).
Overall I think the direction was sharp. Its a perfect origin movie.
Acting
Joaquin Phoenix just owns the character of Joker. His acting is so powerful that you feel bad when he is put down and you cheer when he kills. The body language is spot on. The unique laughing condition was clever. You can feel the fear, sadness, anger, and rage all shown brilliantly. I especially loved the vulnerability of Arthur. His dance performance when he embraces his dark side is brilliant.
Background ScoreÂ
A background score should further accentuate what is shown on the screen. Hildur (who earlier gave an amazing background score for the CHERNOBYL )does exactly that. Her score gets you into the crazy world of Joker filled with fear, melancholy rage, and relief. Hildur gets the essence of Joker perfectly and thus creates an amazing background score.
Conclusion
Joker is a masterpiece. Joaquin Phoenix gives an impeccable performance, precise direction and an amazing background score.
Joaquin definitely deserves an Oscar for this role
Sources:Â
https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/g28998958/best-joker-actors-performances-ranked/
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