The Dark Knight Did anyone feel sorry for the Joker at all??

[Nepenthes]

I felt sorry for the Joker in The Killing Joke when he says "No... it's far too late for that I'm afraid..." so it doesn't surprise me I feel a certain pang for him in this movie from time to time. To me, that was the genius of TKJ. That's when the Joker realizes that there is something wrong with him. That you can't just push a good man over the edge. That it is something about HIM... maybe he is a monster... That's pitiable, to me. And I see the same thing happening at the end of this movie when he realizes that a boat full of fricken convicts can still maintain a sense of morality when staring down imminent death... Maybe he isn't just ahead of the curve, you know? That must be some realization.

Actually, the part I felt the most for him is in the mob meeting when he says "You see a guy like me..." and Gambol cuts him off with "Freak!" And he tries to start the sentence again, kind of quietly, but just trails off and jumps "straight to the "Look. I know why you hold your little group therapy sessions in broad daylight..." When he trails off, he sounds so hurt. I think that "freak" was a word he used to hear a lot of, even before he became what he is.

And yeah... the constant mumbling to himself? I found that endearing in a weird way. I know it's wrong. It's just that he really did act so childlike, and it made him seem more damaged than evil at times. And in those moments where he comes off as damaged, I do feel sorry for him. But in the moments when he shouts "LOOK AT ME!" I'm scared stupid. So it's an interesting balance for me when watching it.

But I really like that I feel something for the Joker other than hatred or fear. I certainly felt those things, but there was a lot of feeling mixed in there. I admired his intelligence and found his philosophies to have merit. I felt pity for him when I saw a deeper pain and fragility I thought he was hiding. And I was frightened of him in those moments when he seemed nearly possessed.

Damn, the Nolans and Heath did this character proud. I swear... there will never be a Joker that captivates me more than Heath's. I know this is my bones. This is it for me. And I am both thankful, and very, very sad about that.

great post and i definitely agree. It's what I've been trying to put into words elsewhere and what I believe was the most remarkable aspect of Ledgers performance, what raised it into something truly special.

Another moment when I felt that loneliness and sadness is when the Chechen calls him freak, Joker says "why don't we chop you up and feed you to your pooches. Hurrhm?". In that guttural noise you can hear that deeper pain. He sounds genuinely hurt and lashing out. To me at least. I think Ledger had that deliberately buried the whole time and only showed it in tiny fragments and gestures

Also:
You're crazy
NO. I'm not. I'm NOT

You really are alone (from Batman)

Joker was looking for a kindred spirit in Batman. someone who clearly had a tragic past that compels him to do rise above mundane and cruel reality. He hoped that Batman would be as damaged as he is, and he is frustrated by Batman refusal to admit it...so he will undo all his work and everything he values simply out if spite. To him Batman is a focal point for a world that won't face up to it's own sickness. Bringing Batman down proves to himself that he is right, and that his suffering has purpose. He dwells on his past, which is his tragedy. He relates fabricated versions to his victims, stories involving family and love. It is clear he suffers. And if its infliction makes no sense to him (this is conveyed by the lying:, it could've been anything, senseless, random) then it will make no sense to anyone else. He's a consummate liar, even to himself. The anarchy and chaos talk is just a weak excuse he made up and started to believe, and he has to lecture people about it to reaffirm it to himself

The look in his eyes when the ferries don't blow up is the cracks appearing in that self delusion, just for a moment - then it's gone. Then the camera turns upside down as he dangles in a void, and Gotham has truly turned on its axis. I love that that's our lasting impression of him, laughing giddily as he spins and whirls in a mad upside-down world, he's dragged us and Batman into it
.

 

[Landfill]

Dont feel sorry for The Joker at all. I just cant feel sorry for a guy who would kill me without a moments hesitation

damn right

 

[VII7]

so and so i guess i did feel sorry for him at certain points of the movie like his scar stories and the mob meeting then afterwards you see just how insane he is "LOOK AT ME" and the scene where he is fleeing the police station with his head out the window it just disturbs you cause you know this guy is evil and insane as ****. the psychological depth with the joker is awesome he is the best villain ever created a opposite of batman but at the same time just as hurt as batman is. thus why they complete each other

 

[Finlandman]

No, I didn't feel sorry for him.

 

[mirasango]

The Mobb and Nepenthes have captured very well how I feel. I know this is a character who would kill anything that moved just because... and he is truly messed up.

But there are times I do feel sorry for him. The freak scene in the mob meeting, that was sad how he stopped, and stammered a bit before continuing on after he was called a freak.

The stories, of the two I think the wife was sad, I doubt it was true. But the points where his voice cracks in the middle and the pure anguish he had in his voice made me feel sorry for him. Whatever did happen to him... it just made it seem worse.

The scene where the two ships don't blow each other up, there is a 5 second pause where Batman tells him he is alone and what were you trying to accomplish, he looks completely lost.

So there were time I did feel sorry for him, and most of the scenes where he is tormenting people, it comes off as crazed yes, evil yes, but also I am hurting so I will hurt everyone else.

He is nothing if not good at figuring out what buttons to push.

And then at the money and fire scene, there is that freak word again. So he can't relate to Batman, he can't relate to the police, the citizens of Gotham or even other gang members. He is totally alone.

His mumbling re-enforces it too, when he is begging Batman to hit him in the street, not only does he want to die I think, but he also wants to prove to himself Batman is on his level too. He's totally deranged.


The character is frightening, and Heath gave an amazing performance. I mean it's damn good.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

yea i sorta sympathize with him, just what has happened to this man to make him this evil? maybe his acts of homacide and depravaty are a release for him and it has been sooo long since he felt happy and loved that he doesn't want to feel them things again? yes he is very much alone and when he relizes "that not everyone is as ugly as you underneath" as batman puts it, i did sorta feel sorry for him. he must of had the worst life ever to feel that the only way to ease the pain is to cause pain on others. but overall he is a sadistic killer and really no matter what has happened to him it doesn't really excuse what he does.
also i admire him in a twisted way. im not sayin that i'm going to kill a load of people! i mean just his drive and pure determination is admirable, aswell as his obvious intelligence and ability to read people like a book. i noticed that up untill he burnt the money the chechan respected him alot, he was the one who said to maroni that they should hire the "clown". and when he done the pencil trick he look impressed and gave a smug look to gambol like "well he showed you!!".