I LOVE BETO! He rocks! ...but that is the last I will talk about politics in this forum. Politics was invoked and obviously with this movie it might continue to get invoked but I don't want to get too deep into mine or anyone elses politics in here.
Ok I'm just home from seeing it. I'm going to post some quick fire thoughts and general feelings. I loved it. I really loved it. Its about as believable a tale as you could get on how someone could turn into something like the Joker. Phoenix was terrific, as I fully expected him to be. Its a dark haunting performance. This movie still managed to intrigue, and even surprise me despite my knowing everything about Joker as a character because it was going into its own self made territory. Without going into spoilers, people will know what I'm talking about when it comes to certain revelations regarding Arthur's mother. That was a big surprise.
The cinematography, the score were all wonderful. The movie is so depressing, but also so intriguing that you're hooked on this miserable ride that is Arthur Fleck's life. Regarding how it feels as a take on the Joker, I never felt like I was watching a Joker movie, but a Taxi Driver type tale about someone who could become as crazy as the Joker. When he finally became Joker, the most Joker-esque part was the talk show segment, which had many elements lifted from DKR. I loved that.
As for all the controversy this movie was getting about violence, I am stunned that it has happened. Talk about making an issue out of nothing. This movie was TAME with the violence. So tame. There was only one scene that had some proper graphic violence. Just one. This movie is not even a contender for most violent comic book movie. The likes of Deadpool and Watchmen are far more violent.
The only thing about this movie that I disliked was the ending regarding
the whole thing apparently just being a dream in Arthur's head while he's in a psych ward. Felt like a huge cop out. Very disappointing.
Overall terrific movie. Plan on seeing it at least two more times. I hope it makes a killing at the box office, wins all the awards, and spits right in the eye of all the drama queens who have been stupidly criticizing it for being violent, or glorifying violence.
I don't really feel the need to curse critics or anything on this movie. Yeah like you guys I disagree with them, at the end of the day, does it really matter if the critics hated this movie or liked it? Really that applies to any movie. I don't know why we take this so personally
That is true but USUALLY it was easier to tell when you were Arthur's head and when you are in reality. Personally I knew the romance wasn't real almost from the beginning but especially after she was laughing at his Stand-up set.
I don't think all of the story is in his head...but I go back and forth on it because they leave it so damned vague.
It really nails the multiple choice past thing he's known for. They don't outright spell it out but it's implied like this whole movie is just bits and pieces of his past that are partly real and partly in his head he's made up. Hell, he may not even have been an adult in 1981 and this is just more of that, which could technically still make him viable for future Bat-films.
And they shouldn't have to say it, that's something I applaud Phillips for.
I don't prescribe to the entire movie is a dream. What I think is the entire movie is an exaggeration. There's a big difference between the two. Now we know certain elements like the romance were false and didn't actually happen. Arthur himself is an unreliable narrator. I think his story has elements of Truth and many of those things may have happened, but not necessarily in the way Arthur is telling them to us. I believe we are watching an exaggeration of how awful the streets of Gotham had become. We're seeing an exaggeration of how he was victimized. So things like those guys on the subway maybe they were being jerks to him, but did he necessarily get assaulted? Did he maybe just judge these guys for representing everything he hated and just decided to kill them, and what we're seeing is how Arthur saw those people in his head for example. That's what I think this movie was doing. But that's just my interpretation
Wait, so they basically went for the St. Elsewhere ending??? I haven't even seen it but knowing that this was an alternate take on the origin, I was almost expecting that since some reviews hinted at some things happening in Arthur's head. I think I'll wait for the torrents now...
Wait, so they basically went for the St. Elsewhere ending??? I haven't even seen it but knowing that this was an alternate take on the origin, I was almost expecting that since some reviews hinted at some things happening in Arthur's head. I think I'll wait for the torrents now...
Mad respect for pulling this off to DC,Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix. What a traumatic rollercoaster of a film. JP really dug deep for this one. I knew going to the cinema by myself to a late showing was the right thing to do. I pretty much absorbed everything i could from the film. That 3rd act though (chills) 4.5/5
P.S a big FU to the critics spreading there " Its too bleak and violent " Agenda. The violence in this film is nowhere near bad as it was hyped up to be. I sincerely hope it doesn't scare off studios and directors to take a approach like this film had. It was a character study that alot of us were sceptical about but honestly showed why the Joker is one of if not the best villian ever created. There's nothing better than being engaged in a film like this. The psychology behind why someone acts this way is just mesmerising and has shone a spotlight on how serious mental illness is in our society (especially these days) Maybe im reaching abit deep but thats what ive missed about a cinema experience like the one i had. No stupid one lines, Cgi fest. Comedic timing in awkward situations. Just great cinematography and storytelling.
I takE issue with this. On one hand, it's great to she light onto mental illness. On the other hand, I find that films aren't the proper platform to "educate" on psychodynamics and mental health.. most use an eriksonian Psychosocial approach. Films tend to, at times, reinforce stereotypes about mental illness because the filmmakers are not mental health professionals, who use stereotypical trauma as the cause of stereotypical mental health symptoms.
While this film can shed insight, and most importantly awareness towards society's impact on mental illness (which it does), it also impacts the stigma associated with it. Haven't seen this movie yet, but I'm uncomfortable with films tackling mental illness.. filmmakers should consult licensed mental health clinicians when making films like this to not only add to the realism, but avoid the cartoonist representation 85% of films which highlight mental health take on. Movie sounds interesting.
Walking into the theater to go see the movie there was a lady who'd just gotten out from a showing and was loudly complaining that she thought it would be "PG-13 like Batman" and that it was "nothing but killing". Some people are spectacularly good at being completely ignorant to what movie they're watching, and just as good at failing to understand what they've actually watched.
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