Nik S.

I'm giving it two stars. One for Joaquin Phoenix--who was amazing, and the second for the cinematography, which was beautiful. As a HUGE Joker fan (ever since I saw Jack Nicholson's performance when I was a kid) I was really looking forward to this movie because I was kinda expecting some Joker & Harley mayhem. A new take on it, but some good mayhem, and what we got: a musical. Minimal, grounded, mayhem, LOTS of musical numbers. One was okay, but it got old fast. It really bogged down the plot. And the plot--the courtroom drama also got really old, fast. I think if the director would have embraced some of the Joker/Harley antics from the animated series, then it might have been possible to make the musicals work better--at least be more entertaining. Ultimately, the ending could have been the same in nearly any scenario, so WHY it had to be a lengthy, boring, trial-based plot, I have no idea... I understand the more nuanced, gritty, sympathetic approach, but still... this is Joker & Harley we're talking about.... I almost fell asleep. That should never happen. So disappointed.