In 2013, thanks to a very good yet misleading trailer, Matt and I went to see "Man of Steel." As we left the theatre, I turned to him and said, "That's it. No more superhero movies for me." Besides the fact that it absolutely SUCKED, I realized something else. They're mostly all the same. And I was bored.
Then a few months ago, I watched the trailer for "Joker."
I was intrigued. It looked dark and disturbing. It touted itself as yet another in the new genre of alternate universe. And most importantly, it starred Joaquin Phoenix. Check. Check. Check. Fine, I'll go...
We just got home.
One word: Masterpiece.
Set in a very Scorcese-ish 1980's Gotham, Joker introduces us to Arthur Fleck: a pathetic, forgettable little man doing odd jobs, in clown garb. He is the awkward guy everyone talks about at work. He's the guy just creepy enough that you might cross the street if you saw him in your path or switch seats on the bus if he was too close. He has an odd tick that doesn't help - an unhinged, boisterous laugh that he can't control, no matter what his emotion is. He's kinda f****** weird.
As Fleck, Joaquin is an absolute triumph. He is fully committed and at once, heartbreaking, deranged, funny, kind of sweet and absolutely terrifying. This movie is not a super hero movie or a movie about a bad guy. This is a psychological study of how person breaks. It is a portrait of his decline and his ascent. The evolution of true psychopath.
The beauty of this film, directed by Todd Philips (Old School, Hangover movies) is that it could easily stand on its own without the DC universe and ubiquitous Joker character. The Wayne family does make an appearance and the Batman origin story is present, but in my opinion, it doesn't need it at all. In fact, I think it's the only flaw. These things are implied and Joaquin needs no help.
He is in every scene. This is his movie. There is no side story of Batman or the investigation of the gruesome murders happening around Gotham. It's just him... and the events that are happening around him and to him that move the film to it's final unsettling conclusion.
For a moment, I was speechless. Then I turned to Matt and just said, "F*****' A!" That's Mrs. Movie Snob speak for two very enthusiastic thumbs up.
Then a few months ago, I watched the trailer for "Joker."
I was intrigued. It looked dark and disturbing. It touted itself as yet another in the new genre of alternate universe. And most importantly, it starred Joaquin Phoenix. Check. Check. Check. Fine, I'll go...
We just got home.
One word: Masterpiece.
Set in a very Scorcese-ish 1980's Gotham, Joker introduces us to Arthur Fleck: a pathetic, forgettable little man doing odd jobs, in clown garb. He is the awkward guy everyone talks about at work. He's the guy just creepy enough that you might cross the street if you saw him in your path or switch seats on the bus if he was too close. He has an odd tick that doesn't help - an unhinged, boisterous laugh that he can't control, no matter what his emotion is. He's kinda f****** weird.
As Fleck, Joaquin is an absolute triumph. He is fully committed and at once, heartbreaking, deranged, funny, kind of sweet and absolutely terrifying. This movie is not a super hero movie or a movie about a bad guy. This is a psychological study of how person breaks. It is a portrait of his decline and his ascent. The evolution of true psychopath.
The beauty of this film, directed by Todd Philips (Old School, Hangover movies) is that it could easily stand on its own without the DC universe and ubiquitous Joker character. The Wayne family does make an appearance and the Batman origin story is present, but in my opinion, it doesn't need it at all. In fact, I think it's the only flaw. These things are implied and Joaquin needs no help.
He is in every scene. This is his movie. There is no side story of Batman or the investigation of the gruesome murders happening around Gotham. It's just him... and the events that are happening around him and to him that move the film to it's final unsettling conclusion.
For a moment, I was speechless. Then I turned to Matt and just said, "F*****' A!" That's Mrs. Movie Snob speak for two very enthusiastic thumbs up.
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