onsdag 23. oktober 2019

Joker (2019)

So, the most important social commentary in years? Oh hell no. Don't believe that hype. It is, however, a very good film.

And make no mistake. For better or worse, this is Joaquin Phoenix' film from start to finish. For better or worse. Mostly better, as it is an absolutely astonish performance. And written with an Oscar in mind, no doubt. The Academy loves a malnourished, skinny actor playing a psychopath with everyday struggles. Phoenix has both the nuance and the sheer crazy. It's painful to watch his awkward interaction with society, with or without his involuntary laughter. His feet are always in motion, whether dancing, running or frenetically moving them as he sits by the television. You can feel his loneliness as he sits in a club taking notes for his own stand-up, while laughing at all the wrong places,without ever realizing why. He balances everything perfectly. Making you feel enough for him to feel interested, but never enough to understand him. Nicely summed up on a piece of paper early in the film

As for the other actors, who mostly work as extras, there is special mention for Brian Tyree Henry and Frank Wood, who both have very short scenes, but really make a lasting impression.

The film is very slow in pace, lingering, making you anticipate and dread scenes. Like Arthur's first appearance as a comedian in front of an audience. You know it's coming, you know it will be gruelling. So you dread it. Rightly. Then director Phillips does it again. With such a slow pace, Phoenix is allowed all the space and time he needs. More importantly, the violence feels particularly shocking when it appears. It's a very uncomfortable film to watch, and not because of the violence. It's all about the moods, the dystopia and the bleakness. There isn't much humour here, but it is dark. Phillips has his tricks as a storyteller too, and make no mistake: The novice will be fooled. The cynic perhaps also.

So to the claim that this is an important outlook as to how a society creates a villain. It's certainly done rather well, but there's nothing new here. Gotham was always a bleak city, with a divided society. It was touched by Burton and rammed into the ground by Nolan. The fact that this film doesn't have a hero, doesn't make the story nor concept original in that respect. In some ways, it's almost a homage, as there are so many films referenced indirectly here. At least 3 of the previous Batman-films from the Burton-films until now, V for Vendetta, King of Comedy, Taxi Driver etc.

It's worth noting that Arthur is so invested in being a clown, that even when he runs in his civilian clothes, he runs as if he had his giant shoes on. A further fantastic detail, is the development of his laugh. Throughout the film it's either forced by his medical condition, or by his compulsion to adapt to his society. But towards the end, his laugh towards the TV-audience is in total control, sarcastic and maniacal. The odd one out finally finding his way

A sigh of exasperation: Had they ended the film 3 minutes earlier, with an amazing scene sending shivers down all spines, I would have rated it even higher.

8/10

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