Joker
General Info
| Awards | Best Actor (Joaquin Phoenix), Best Original Score |
|---|---|
| Genres | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Music By | Hildur Guðnadóttir |
| Tagline | Put on a happy face. |
| Edited By | Jeff Groth |
| Film Name | Joker |
| Starring | Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy |
| Languages | English |
| Directed By | Todd Phillips |
| Produced By | Todd Phillips, Bradley Cooper, Emma Tillinger Koskoff |
| Budget in USD | $55–70 million |
| Release Date | 2019-10-04 |
| Running Time | 122 minutes |
| Screenplay By | Todd Phillips, Scott Silver |
| Content Rating | R |
| Distributed By | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Original Title | Joker |
| Box Office in USD | $1.074 billion |
| Cinematography | Lawrence Sher |
| Country of Origin | United States, Canada |
| Trailer Youtube URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t433PEQGErc |
| World Premiere Date | 2019-08-31 |
| Production Company Name | DC Films, Village Roadshow Pictures, Bron Creative, Joint Effort |
Overview
Breaking away from traditional superhero tropes, this standalone film delves deep into the psyche of one of the most infamous super villains. It prompts reflection on the powerful potential of social pressure to produce unintended evils. Arthur's relentless struggle and survival in a ruthless world, his descent into madness and the rise of the "clown prince of crime" are raw and disturbing.
The Joker greatly humanizes the super villain, making the audience empathize with the character they fear and hate. It's an engrossing character study of a broken man, and his spiraling descent into dishonesty is not only revelatory, but a chilling reflection of society's own demons. It's not so much a comedic adaptation as an intense and masterful drama that keeps audiences enthralled and shocked long after the credits roll.
Trailer
Screenshots
Plot
But Gotham is about to descend into chaos. The great gulf between the rich and the poor explodes, symbolized by Thomas Wayne's wealth and the extreme poverty that Arthur struggles with on a daily basis. As society mounts pressure and humiliation, Arthur approaches the brink of sanity, prompted by a chilling discovery: a grim letter from his mother revealing that Arthur is Wayne's son. This revelation sends him into a tailspin and forces him into a gruesome showdown in which he introduces himself as the Joker for the first time.
From here, the shy comedian transforms into anarchy incarnate, an evil clown prince who charms the disaffected masses. He cleverly uses a horrific subway train crash to galvanize the disillusioned citizens of Gotham, who embrace the Joker's clown mask as a symbol of rebellion against the city's elite.
This Joker movie explores the profound transformation of an abandoned man into a feared symbol, asking the question: Who is the real villain in a society that heaps ridicule and contempt on its poorest citizens? Basically, this story fatally blurs the line between good and evil, hero and villain, right and wrong. It's no longer about fighting crime, it's about surviving in a society that creates crime.
Production
The production team's determination to make the character authentic led to an exploration of the dark underbelly of Gotham City, and Fleck concluded with a dangerous transition into the iconic nemesis, the Joker. The stylization of 1980s New York helped shape Gotham's oppressive metropolis, and the film's rich depiction of urban decay was integral to Arthur Fleck's narrative of transformation. Known for his method acting, Joaquin Phoenix delved into the psyche of the character, which was both challenging and beneficial to the production. Complementing Phoenix's performance, Hildur Guđnadóttir's stunning score and Lawrence Sher's gritty cinematography under the direction of Todd Philip set the mood for Arthur's journey into the Joker. Detailed art direction, costume design and make-up further enhanced the stories, depicting Arthur's gradual descent into madness.
The manufacturing process has remained as engaging and attractive as the final product. Despite the controversy and intense media attention, the team's courage resulted in a breakthrough film that received critical acclaim and earned Phoenix an Academy Award. The making of The Joker was a milestone in the superhero genre, proving that these films could contain deep social reflections and psychological explorations.
Release
Audiences around the world have praised the film for its brave and unflinching portrayal of mental health issues and social exclusion. Phoenix's transformation into the mayhem-loving clown prince of crime, the Joker, has been hailed as one of cinema's best and most nuanced performances. The film was not without controversy, with some fearing that it might lead to violence due to its sympathetic portrayal of the villain. But the impact and resonance was undeniable. The Joker has etched itself into our collective psyche, forcing viewers to question the fragile boundaries between heroism and dishonesty. in 2019 in October, it will become the highest-grossing film of all time, a testament to its prowess and popularity among moviegoers.
A psychological thriller and a tragic character study, The Joker remains one of the most audacious achievements of modern cinema and contributes greatly to the power and potential of comic book adaptations.
Reception
However, the film's dark and provocative themes have sparked much debate. Some praised its bold exploration of mental illness and societal abandonment, hailing it as a bold departure from typical superhero cinema. But others have criticized it for its perceived glorification of violence and its potential to encourage imitation in the real world.
Despite the controversy, Joker managed to gain a large audience. It defied predictions to become one of the highest-grossing R-rated films of all time, garnering numerous nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
The polarizing Joker certainly left an indelible mark on the comic book movie landscape. Its success speaks not only to the continued appeal of the titular character, but also to an audience hungry for more complex, character-driven stories in the genre.
Cultural impact
Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Arthur Fleck, a man who descends into madness and becomes the Joker, has sparked a new dialogue about mental health. Her show portrayed the grim reality of mental illness and the desperate need for adequate mental health support and services; it definitely shocked viewers and raised awareness of mental health and empathy.
In addition, "Joker" turned into a social critique, highlighting the systemic failures of society. Arthur's transformation is caused by the apathy shown by those who intended to help him, making the Joker a symbolic embodiment of social neglect and disenfranchisement. This poignant performance ignited debates about social responsibility and the damaging effects of social inequality.
Furthermore, the film's depiction of violent protests and a city in chaos mirrored real-world scenes, anticipating and depicting the growing global disillusionment. This aspect of the film drew attention to the increasingly difficult times in our lives, sparking discussions about poverty, unemployment and social unrest.
It is clear that the cultural influence of films extends far beyond the realm of cinema. The Joker encouraged audiences to question, empathize with and discuss the prevailing social issues it accurately articulated, making it an influential work in today's cinematic landscape.