Joker

Plot: Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is a down-and-out clown living with his mom in 1960's era Gotham City. He works a comedy clubs, events at stores, and at children's hospitals. He gets beaten up, robbed, and loses his gigs at store events, then at the comedy club, and then at the hospital. He seems to make friends with a girl (Zazie Beetz) in his apartment, and he talks to his mom (Frances Conroy) too. He gets beat up on the subway, and then lashes back. He believes the world is against him, and forces his anger on rich people like Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen). A clip of his gets picked up by a national talk show host, and he appears on the show. This leads to the final scenes.    [imdb]    [photos]

Review: Always interesting, sometimes gripping, and jarring: this is the most serious, comic book movie every. It is a character study of a larger-than-life personality getting shit on and then unravelling. Joaquin Phoenix.

Joker is not fun to watch, but it is highly evocative. One can emote while watching, and feel have compassion with Arthur.

I liked it a lot. 

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Frances Conroy, Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro

Directed by: Todd Phillips

Written by: Todd Phillips and Scott Silver

The Music: Dark and brooding tracks by Hildur Guonadottir with some muted rock classics during the final riot scenes. 

The Visuals: Consistently carefully crafted and moody shots. 

Rating: 4.0 stars: .

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