Black Eye Reviews

***NO MOVIE SPOLIERS*** BER MOVIE REVIEW: JOKER Is BRILLIANT! SUMMARY If you are a fan of the legend of Batman, this movie is the perfect explanation of the societal conditions that spawned the origin of both The Batman and The JOKER! After Heath Ledger totally crushed the role of Joker in Batman THE DARK KNIGHT, I did not think there was another actor that could fully embody the ultra-complicated role of The JOKER. Boy Oh Boy was I wrong.... Joaquin Phoenix owned the JOKER character from the opening screen. From his silly yet sinister laugh to the pain behind his captivating smile, Arthur Fleck lived in the ugliest side of society. In nothing less than a smartly demonstrated political statement, JOKER shows the darker side of the world we live in. A world where people being cruel to each other has become a such social norm until civil disobedience, fractures in society based on both social + economic differences and ultimately anarchy becomes an acceptable and even popular option…(sound familiar?) The portrayal of Fleck's sadness and mental instability was as troubling to watch as it was compelling and entertaining. I was literally on the edge of my seat. I found myself truly relating to Arthur's struggles with society and its definition of normal/acceptable/politically correct behavior. And, I have NEVER seen a person that could so effectively smile and frown at the exact same time. From a thankless boss at a horrible job, a mother that seems a little detached from reality, the loss of his city-services funded therapy sessions + mental illness medicine and ultimately one too many beatings from people society see and accept as normal...Arthur Fleck was tragically transformed into JOKER. MY CONCLUSION I give this movie 5/5 black thumbs up! Finally, DC has a movie the lives up to the hype. JOKER is the most brilliantly made Batman prequel ever created. And if DC is smart, they will stay with this style of storytelling. Because, audiences are going to LOVE and REWARD them at the box office for this portrayal of the JOKER, arguably the most famous villain ever created.