Phoenix acted extremely well and albeit there are many dark sides to this movie, it was portrayed in a manner that increases awareness of how critical mental illness can be that could be released through brutal acts that eventually leads to self destruction. A lot of people may find this movie horrifying and insane but like what Phoenix mentioned in his notebook "the world treats mental illness as if you don't" says it all. It's the hard truth about how society stereotypes people with such illness and most people do not want to see the ugly side of this world.