Joker (2019) - Joke Or Joker?

★★★★★

This is a story of how a clown, pleasing others by pretending who he is not, becomes the Joker, pleasing himself instead by not pretending who he really is. Joker is one of the fictional villains against the Batman from DC comics, living in a fictional, cold, dark city, Gotham. 'Joker' nonetheless, doesn't feel fictional or of much exaggeration at all compared with those superhero films. It's in fact got a feel more down-to-earth than 'The Dark Knight' as considered a comic book adaptation. If you like serious dramas such as 'Taxi Driver', you'll probably like 'Joker' too. Both of them have a huge psychological impact on viewers like me. They thrill me, and also upset me so, making me realize how a sickening, loveless, unjust society would inevitably bring about chaos and maniacs!

Like expected, 'Joker' is Joaquin Phoenix's solo act, who has certainly put up one of his best performances here that deserves an Academy Award or two indeed. People would like to compare his Joker with Heath Ledger's in 'The Dark Knight', but I guess it's pointless to do so since they two had a different approach to the character. Joaquin's looks doubtful, pathetic, depressed and a bit more of humanity, while Heath's is definitely more pure-evil, inhumane and intimidating. Both of their performances are incomparable and classic. Health makes 'The Dark Knight' insanely unforgettable. Joaquin makes 'Joker' disturbingly beautiful!

Arthur Fleck the Joker has a medical condition that causes sudden, continuous, uncontrollable laughter that may not match certain circumstances. That's why he's been isolated and treated like a freak or a complete joke ever since childhood. He lives with his aging mother. He's told to bring laughter and joy to the world, but ironically he's been constantly turned down and humiliated! What seems to be able to rekindle his spirit is that he could be billionaire Thomas Wayne's son, plus famous talk show comedian Murray's praise and recognition. What seems to still give him comfort is the care from his seemingly loving mother. All that however, turns out to be false later on. He's then devastated and pushed to a point of no return to therefore reconsider his life a 'comedy' instead of a 'tragedy'! A dangerous crooked perception from a sick twisted soul!

'Joker' is a phenomenon where a person keeps being suppressed, belittled, pressured and compelled to extreme madness that he no longer holds moral compass! That he sees chaos as something beautiful. Even 'an eye for an eye' would not be able to explain it because a joker may not necessarily kill for revenge but for no reason at all. In other words, he's got no motive, and thus unstoppable and nonnegotiable. Jokers are as a result of a rotting society where the rule of law, justice, fairness, sympathy, morality and ethics, all positive values are already gone. And violence seems the only way to make one listen and respect, especially the authorities, even though we know for sure that it's going to be a vicious circle!

I believe, I strongly believe however, that Buddha nature is always right there inside everyone of us. We're not born a devil. We just learn to be evil and violent along the way consciously or unconsciously. Like it or not, life's full of hard choices to make, and every choice has a price to pay! Some would rather be a joker than a joke. Some would just choose the other way round! At a time like this, in a place like this, what would you rather be? That is the question!