Dirty is a word we associate with uncleanliness, sometimes even disgust. I wasn’t disgusted with this movie, but I was disgusted at the crowd’s reception, a reaction that resulted in laughter when people were killed brutally or when someone was being beaten. When I read the reviews and reactions for Joker at the Venice Film Festival and even after that festival, I thought to myself,
“This movie is going to be insane. It’s going to be a true character study. An honest masterpiece of comic book film.”
I wasn’t wrong, but what I didn’t expect was how controversial the writing and storytelling would be. I would like to give forewarning and say upfront that this movie is incredibly good from a cinematic standpoint. However, many people are not viewing it for what it should be.
“A gritty character study of Arthur Fleck, a man disregarded by society.” - Joker (2019) Plot Synopsis.
Where do we draw the line on what is morally right or wrong?
That is the question that is laid at the audience’s feet over and over again in Joker. It’s a simple question and almost any human with emotion or some understanding can agree that something that is “right” is something that is “good” and something that is “wrong” is something that is “bad.” It’s a simple enough understanding that even children can comprehend. What Todd Phillips does in this film is blur that line continually without any doubt that what he is doing can have negative connotations.
Am I saying that Todd Phillips was wrong for what he included and portrayed in this movie? The short answer is no. But what I can say is that he tiptoes and weaves in and out of an area that is so clearly wrong and forces it to be considered and perceived as grey.
Joker, however, doesn’t establish those boundaries at all. Here we have a man who is mentally ill and is being influenced immensely by his mentally ill mother. It’s a situation that, unfortunately, many real-life people go through. Whether it is family members with depression, bipolar disorder, or even schizophrenia.
What the film does get right is its commentary on how society treats mental illnesses. One phrase that Arthur writes in his journal is, “The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don't.” This statement, as unfortunate and sad as it is, is a reality for many people. It doesn’t reinforce violence, murder, or rage, but it does present commentary on how many perceive mental illnesses.
Tense is a good word to describe the entirety of the writing for Joker. Despite its controversy and blurred lines, it does a phenomenal job of gripping the audience and manipulating the atmosphere not only in the film but in the theater. For better or worse, this movie perfectly captures what a psychological thriller should harness.
As this analysis comes to a close, I’d like to highlight the technical aspects of Joker. One of those being the gorgeous cinematography. The camera work and lighting is utterly breathtaking and propels this movie into an achievement seldom reached in the comic book genre.
In closing, while I feel Joker could have conveyed its messages in a way that didn’t glorify as much as it condemned its own actions, I truly believe it is a forerunner of change in films. Not only for comic book movies, but also thrillers and crime movies. It’s successfully developed a character that can be analyzed from many different angles and has earned its place in the awards season.
For all its controversy and for all its faults, its commentary is important. However, some of its contents may be even unnecessary to the extent they're taken to. Thus leaving us with a film that is and surely has been overshadowed by its own glorification and condemnation.
Rated R for strong bloody violence, disturbing behavior, language and brief sexual images.
(Review by Everett Shirey)