Linda Lester

The movie was outstanding because of the acting of Juaquin Phoenix. I got tired of hearing how gritty and dark the movie is. It’s like the people saying this haven’t seen many movies in a their lifetime. There was a reason for the violence and a progression coenciding with the character learning a major truth about his life, the real reason for his uncontrollable laughter as well as his depression. All of this resulting from his mother’s failure to watch over him as a child, allowing him to be beaten in the head. Its no wonder that he snaps. I believe the shooting on the subway happened because of being given a gun for protection. Then the feeling of finally feeling in control of what others were doing to him took over. He was also without medication. This movie was a God send for the people with mental illness showing just how bad the system is for people with mental illness, the people without money. Mental illness defiantly correlates with crime, all kinds of crime. This wasn’t a downer movie, of course you felt very sorry for the total injustice in this mans life, but the movie played out too as a drama. It connected the Joker to Batman in such a way that now we have a true reason for the Joker to have become the villain he is. I have to say the acting is what brought this movie to life it wouldn’t have been the movie it was wthout Juaquin. I had to see it a second time just to be able to catch the depth of his acting. I saw even more out of him than the first time. Lastly I have to address Juaquins dancing. I want to see the movie again just to see his solo down the staircase. This along with the music gave a reprieve from the heaviness of the story.