Joker - Review
Director: Todd Phillips
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz
Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) is an aspiring but failing standup comedian living and working in 1980s Gotham City. Continually ostracised by society, Fleck becomes increasingly disillusioned with the cruelty around him, triggering his descent into madness as he is radicalised and transformed into Gotham's notorious criminal mastermind.
Known for his work in the comic sphere with films such as The Hangover trilogy and Due Date, Todd Phillips has unexpectedly transitioned into gritty drama, touching on many prevalent subjects in the process. Anti-capitalism, protesting against the negligence of the rich and privileged and mental health are just some of the topics that are addressed, but Phillips never convincingly demonstrates his handle on the statements he is making. Intensely serious and visually striking, the film has a grand sense of self-importance and the result is a slick but shallow offering.
Phillips is not the only participant operating outside of their comfort zone. Phoenix, one of his generation's most revered talents, has never before ventured into the comic book territory and faces the seemingly insurmountable challenge of giving a performance that rivals the likes of Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger's iconic efforts. However, the film's stark departure away from the tropes of the genre and reliance on a more mature, realistic tone have attuned to Phoenix's sensibilities and the actor arguably gives the defining performance of his enviable career. Having lost a significant amount of weight for the role, the emerging awards contender committed to the character extensively and has given us a unique interpretation on one of the greatest villains of all time.
Fleck's journey from downtrodden citizen to revolutionary figure mimics some of the most famous films of the 70s, most evidently paying homage to Martin Scorsese's work such as Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. The connection is made even stronger with the casting of Robert De Niro as the talk show host Murray Franklin, Fleck's idol, but it is an ineffective ploy and only serves as a reminder that Joker does not possess the thoughtfulness or craft of the films that it is attempting to emulate.
Incendiary and innovative, terrific and troubling - Joker is one of the most divisive films of the decade, but there's no doubt that its unprecedented approach to a comic book property has changed the genre as we know it forever.
EB
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz
Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) is an aspiring but failing standup comedian living and working in 1980s Gotham City. Continually ostracised by society, Fleck becomes increasingly disillusioned with the cruelty around him, triggering his descent into madness as he is radicalised and transformed into Gotham's notorious criminal mastermind.
Known for his work in the comic sphere with films such as The Hangover trilogy and Due Date, Todd Phillips has unexpectedly transitioned into gritty drama, touching on many prevalent subjects in the process. Anti-capitalism, protesting against the negligence of the rich and privileged and mental health are just some of the topics that are addressed, but Phillips never convincingly demonstrates his handle on the statements he is making. Intensely serious and visually striking, the film has a grand sense of self-importance and the result is a slick but shallow offering.
Phillips is not the only participant operating outside of their comfort zone. Phoenix, one of his generation's most revered talents, has never before ventured into the comic book territory and faces the seemingly insurmountable challenge of giving a performance that rivals the likes of Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger's iconic efforts. However, the film's stark departure away from the tropes of the genre and reliance on a more mature, realistic tone have attuned to Phoenix's sensibilities and the actor arguably gives the defining performance of his enviable career. Having lost a significant amount of weight for the role, the emerging awards contender committed to the character extensively and has given us a unique interpretation on one of the greatest villains of all time.
Fleck's journey from downtrodden citizen to revolutionary figure mimics some of the most famous films of the 70s, most evidently paying homage to Martin Scorsese's work such as Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. The connection is made even stronger with the casting of Robert De Niro as the talk show host Murray Franklin, Fleck's idol, but it is an ineffective ploy and only serves as a reminder that Joker does not possess the thoughtfulness or craft of the films that it is attempting to emulate.
Incendiary and innovative, terrific and troubling - Joker is one of the most divisive films of the decade, but there's no doubt that its unprecedented approach to a comic book property has changed the genre as we know it forever.
EB
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