See It at the Movies

JOKER

By JOYCE & DON FOWLER
Posted 10/9/19

JOKER

* * * ½

(The origin of the Joker)

Joker has become the most controversial movie of the year, mainly because of its depiction of a mass shooting and riot. We should be reminded …

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See It at the Movies

JOKER

Posted

JOKER

* * * ½

(The origin of the Joker)

Joker has become the most controversial movie of the year, mainly because of its depiction of a mass shooting and riot. We should be reminded that this is not unique, especially for action and futuristic films.

If you can get by that, and we understand that many people can't, Joker is a fascinating study of a disturbed, abused man who sinks into uncontrollable madness. While Renee Zellweger's Judy deserves an Oscar nomination, so does Joaquin Phoenix's Joker. His uncontrollable laughter, his loneliness and his anger are seen not only in his actions but in that expressive face beneath all the clown makeup.

Phoenix plays Arthur Fleck, a clown for hire who wants to be a stand-up comedian. The problem is that he is not very good, and due to a medical condition can't control his hideous laughter. He is on seven medications and has lost his prescriber when Gotham City eliminates its social worker staff.

The movie opens with Arthur being beaten brutally, followed by losing his job, and then being beaten again. The pitiful man has a good side, taking care of his sickly mother. But too many bad things happen to poor Arthur, including being ridiculed by a TV talk show host (Robert DiNiro). The poor, disturbed guy finally cracks, striking back with uncontrollable violence.

The movie depicts Gotham City at its worst, with a garbage strike the background for a dark, dismal, dirty environment, made worse by the violent riots, with clown masks worn as disguises.

It is not easy being a clown, and all of the above result in the transformation of this poor man into Batman's biggest nemesis. Batman is never seen or spoken of. This is the Joker's story. Pay attention and you'll get the association to the Wayne family name.

Rated a very big R, with much violence.

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