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The movie is not about superheroes.
Joker, whose real name is Arthur Fleck, takes seven different medications to treat his rare, uncontrollable laughter and carries a card that reads, "Please forgive my laughter." Arthur dreams of becoming a famous stand-up comedian but earns meager wages playing the pathetic Carnival clown at parties. He is perpetually sad, lonely, and lives in a dilapidated apartment with his elderly mother, Penny.
Essentially, Arthur was just a gentle man who liked to make people smile. However, throughout his youth, Arthur lived in indifference and cruelty, hurt by both street kids and colleagues. He made a terrible decision to become a villain, leading to an escalation of his tragic life filled with sick jokes and murderous rage. Arthur is like an ugly swan, a nihilistic creature plunging into the darkest, dirtiest parts of our society.
Produced by the DC Universe, Joker takes a completely new direction. It's not a typical superhero movie, but rather a portrait depicting the bitter realities of society and the dark life of a man who was once honest and full of dreams and aspirations.
This new direction also means the film is "challenged" to explore new things without having to ensure it fits within the Justice League timeline, nor does it disrupt any established foundations for future films.
...DO NOT ADAPT FROM COMIC BOOKS
There's a general rule that superhero movies are often adapted from superhero comics. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is based on Marvel's Winter Soldier comic series written by Ed Brubaker. The same is true for Civil War, Infinity War, and The Dark Knight Rises. But Joker completely defies this rule.
Arthur Fleck doesn't conform to any previously published Joker archetype. Who is Arthur Fleck? Why does he have to take care of his mother? Why is his laugh so terrifying? We don't know, and that makes the film even more intriguing.
...and there's no Batman either.
Many viewers were still hoping for Batman's appearance in this film (similar to the story of The Dark Knight Rises), but Joker is not a Batman movie. Batman isn't in the title, the synopsis, or even on set. Batman isn't the focus or the main character in Joker; it's Joker himself and the world that created him.
Through this film, Joker proved himself to be a character with enough weight to be the central figure with multiple storylines. For the first time, viewers were able to delve deep into the soul of this lonely man, understanding the process of degradation that transformed a stand-up comedian into the most famous villain on screen.
The most popular movie on screen in 2019
Joaquin Phoenix, who played the Joker, won a Grammy Award, received three Oscar nominations, and garnered widespread critical acclaim. A renowned artist known for his passion and creative acting style, at 44 years old, Phoenix delivered a unique experience for audiences in his portrayal of the deranged clown.
To play Joker, he lost 24 kg by eating only one apple a day. He also studied videos of people suffering from uncontrollable laughter disorder and read books on political assassination to understand the motives of killers. With a body so thin that his bones seemed ready to pierce his skin at any moment, and a terrifying laugh, Phoenix created a new and intriguing Joker that perfectly captured the character's essence.
The film itself sparked numerous controversies and concerns about whether it would incite rebellious and criminal tendencies in America. However, as Arthur Fleck himself said, "Humor isn't about right or wrong; it's a matter of personal perception," the film remains a masterpiece for those who appreciate and understand it. Upon its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Joker won the Golden Lion – Best Film – and received an eight-minute standing ovation. IGN gave the film a perfect 10, labeling it a "Masterpiece."
Director Todd Phillips shared that he didn't intend Joker to be a violent action film or just a typical entertainment movie. He wanted to portray a social landscape with pressing issues, about relationships and trust between people, creating a truly "dark and deep" film.
Deep within Joker's depravity lies loneliness, shattered dreams, and wounds inflicted by the harsh realities of life. We are all clowns struggling with life, weeping and lamenting interspersed with smiles. We stumble, but we must learn to get back up.
The film is now showing in theaters nationwide.
