REVIEW: Joker is No Laughing Matter
Every hero needs a villain. Someone who will help propel the hero journey and keep the hero on the path of good. But what about the villain’s journey? What does a villain need to become the villain? For years, DC Comics and Marvel Comics’ films have depicted what an ordinary person needs to do to take the path of the hero. Now, DC Comics is telling the villain’s side.
Joker is the origin story behind one of DC Comics’ most iconic villains, one of Batman’s greatest foes, the Joke. This story tells how Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes the villainous character, known as the Joker, and how he will torture and torment the caped crusader for years to come. This telling of the Joker starts long before Bruce Wayne takes up the cape and cowl. The riots of Gotham City when Bruce is just a boy and his parents are still alive take center stage in this Joker’s tale.
Arthur Fleck’s only desire in life is to make people laugh. As a clown and an amateur comedian, his goal is to just put a smile on people’s faces. Instead of smiles, he is yelled at and bullied. And instead of laughs, he receives violence and heckles. The only laughter Fleck has seems to be his own. This is due to an uncontrollable condition which causes him to laugh in the most inappropriate times As the film progresses, Fleck consistently can’t seem to catch a break until one night, while he is being bullied by three young drunks. Fleck’s ability to hold it together breaks and things turn deadly.
Phoenix does a superb job at bringing the Joker to life. The film is Phoenix’s story and everyone else is just watching from the sidelines. His ability to harness the madness that is the Joker and yet showcase it in a way that is truly effortless is a wonder to watch. Viewers will be able to tell that he was inspired by past depictions of the character from how he brings his Joker version to life; he doesn’t get lost in those depictions, he instead embraces and expands on them.
It’s hard to find any real sympathy with a character like Arthur, especially knowing the character’s ultimate endgame. Director Todd Phillips does well and he never tries to take the character down a path for redemption. All Joker’s cards are laid out on the table and the story of how he becomes the iconic villain remains the focus. Phillips creates a feeling of insanity rather than sympathy.
Diehard comic book fans will struggle with this depiction of one of DC Comics’ most legendary villains. Not because the story isn’t good, but the overall Batman timeline doesn’t add up. If you can forget that this character ultimately becomes a great villain to Batman, you should be fine. If not, the last fifteen minutes of the film should manage to reel you back in only because it’s, well, pure Joker.
Grade: A-