“Joker” (R)
Joaquin Phoenix gives a masterful performance in an otherwise flawed but still riveting movie in “Joker,” writer-director Todd Phillips’ heady examination of origins of the Clown Prince of Crime in what appears to be – at least at this point – a standalone movie in the DC Comics movie universe. Of course, the iconic Batman arch-nemesis originated in a comic book, but there’s no question Phillips wanted to take the character in the direction of the gritty, 1970s and ‘80s crime films by director Martin Scorsese, specifically “Taxi Driver” and “The King of Comedy.”
Phoenix mentally and physically transforms himself into Arthur Fleck, an extreme outcast and loner who works as a party clown and has grand aspirations of becoming a stand-up comedian. Living a meager existence with his damaged mother (Frances Conroy), Arthur is a man living on the edge of a mental breakdown, and after a couple brutal beatdowns by bullies, snaps with repercussions that he’ll never be able to recover from.
Forging a new identity as a murderer who masquerades in clown makeup, Arthur’s murderous ways inspires the malcontents of Gotham City to rise up against the rich, where suddenly powerful citizens like Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen) become the target of hatred. Making matters worse, Arthur’s idol, talk show host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro), crushes the fragile comedian wannabe when he mocks his stand-up talents on the air. Because the segment was so popular, though, Murray invites Arthur to appear on the show, marking Arthur’s complete transformation into Joker.
“Joker” without question takes a deeper dive into the character than we’ve ever seen on film, and it’s a blessing Phillips got somebody as enigmatic and talented as Phoenix to take on the ambitious role. With the edge taken off the challenge of being the first person to assume the role after legendary performance of Heath Ledger (Jared Leto was the unfortunate soul to do that with “Suicide Squad”), Phoenix clearly isn’t trying to outdo Ledger in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” (or for that matter, the brilliant Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton’s classic 1989 “Batman” film), but make the role his own. His uncontrollable laughter (passed off as a medical condition) in “Joker” is chilling (and yes, somewhat grating), but his subtle behavior and the way he contorts his body are the attributes that make the ultra-intense performance complete.
While Phillips clearly creates a new back story for the main character (including a major plot twist that will have purists buzzing), “Joker” could still be considered a part of the DC canon. Not only does the action take place in Gotham pre-Batman, the inclusion of Thomas Wayne in the plot, as well as a young Bruce Wayne (Dante Pereira-Olson), eventually takes the story down the path readers associate with the character of Joker. If the story were to continue, it could easily turn into the classic confrontation of Batman vs. Joker; something Phillips has insisted will not happen, despite director Matt Reeves’ new version of the Caped Crusader called “The Batman” (starring Robert Pattinson).
While “Joker” populates the Gotham-centric story with Phoenix’s brilliance and solid performances from the likes of De Niro and Zazie Beetz (as Arthur’s neighbor and object of his desire), it’s far from a perfect film. The set-up lumbers along until the point where Arthurs is provided the tool that will lead to his self-destruction, and in-between, a huge plot device meant to be a twist screams predictability. Still, there’s no denying the overwhelming power of the third act, which despite the fact that you can see what’s coming, is a shocking piece of cinema, nonetheless. It’s here that fear in the news media about the film’s excessive violence finally presents itself, and it leaves you with a gut-sickening feeling long after you leave the theater. For all the different ways the character has been presented to audiences before, there’s no doubt that this “Joker” is no laughing matter.
Lammometer: 7.5 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show,” WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).
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