Ayer doesn't get Joker and Harley's relationship at all. Joker can't love. He keeps Harley around because her obsession over him feeds the narcissistic side of him. Joker wants attention and Harley gives it to him. He doesn't love her. He can't love. Joker is so manipulative of Harley and he almost always acts relieved when she's not around. Joker would never do pretty much everything he does for her in this film. To make things worse, she practically wears the pants in the relationship in this film.
Making the biggest villain in their new universe the soft innocent subplot will hold back future installments. His characterization has been botched. I can't see this Joker harming a fly. All Batman's got to do his threaten to harm Harley. It'll stop every one of this Joker's schemes.
Batman: don't poison Gotham's water supply!!
Joker: what are you going to do about it?
Batman: I'll kill Harley!
Joker: OK!!! OK!!! *surrenders*
Joker has zero emotional weaknesses.Also, it's more than just comic fans. Joker is known in pop culture as the most bat**** crazy, fun super villain. The crux of an emotional weakeness literally makes the whole character collapse on itself.
The only person Joker arguably loves is Batman. Joker will ALWAYS pick Batman over Harley.
I mean, damn, Joker came off so innocent, like Godzilla or King Kong. He doesn't know what he's doing is wrong, but he really can love. He came off heroic at the end...
I liked Leto's performance, but this wasn't Joker.
Also, like what in the literal ****. Batman is "too crazy" to settle down with a girl, but Joker isn't?