Joaquin Phoenix plays a quintessential Joker like we have never seen before. The films 'R' rating thoroughly allows it to show Arthur Fleck's slow descent from child-friendly clown to vengeful Joker. Director, Todd Phillips has recreated and reimagined one of the most iconic comic book villains known to man. Each Joker or Batman film presents a different style of Joker, through actors like Heath Ledger or Joaquin Phoenix. The Joker can be played light or heavy, scary or fun or a combination of all four and Joaquin Phoenix fits the bill precisely. With Todd Phillips history of directing The Hangover and Road Trip you would expect Joker to be a comedy film, but it is the complete opposite. It is instead a grim, dark, gut-wrenching and disturbing account of a deeply unstable man. When Arthur Fleck is fired from working as a clown he tries to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. Robert De Niro's character, Murray Franklin, a late-night show host brings Fleck onto his show as a gag guest to make fun of and humiliate. This ridicule of Joker leads to a horrific climax that you will not forget. Near the end of the film, there is a protest filled with masked clowns resembling Jokers' make-up fighting against the rich which is the catalyst for Bruce Wayne becoming Batman. Even though Joker takes place in the 1970s there are still parallels seen to current day with protests being held against the rich and powerful. This flick is shocking, bold, but just as equally beautiful.
8 M&M'S in your popcorn out of 10
Next, I will be reviewing the Invisible Man, a film featuring Elizabeth Moss from Mad Men and The Handmaid's Tale.
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