Joker (2018)

Review and live reaction to Joker (2018) as I watch it, warning, Spoilers, obviously:

So we see the Joker, who is currently a regular Clown, is a hard working man trying to earn his dollar by spinning a board in the middle of the city. Already, I'm on his side, fuck this bullshit. Making yourself look like a fool and working hard for it for hours on end just for minimum wage is actual clownery, but that's Late Stage Capitalism for you.

I have already head-canoned him as being Autistic as any normal person would say "fuck it!" If their board got stolen and not actually run half a mile down the road after a group of teenagers for property that belongs to a company that probably doesn't care for you at all. But anyway, he's trying to do good and be a good citizen of Gotham/New York City.

Anyway, he catches up (fucking incredible considering he's in Clown shoes) and finds the boys and they decide to beat up the man. Wankers. Honestly, what's the point? What's the man done to you? Do you have a Clown phobia? Or even Fetish? What are you getting from this?

Anyway. I already am on The Joker's side and would become a villain too if this happened to me.

Title Card. JOKER.

Well, if you don't laugh, you cry. Especially in an office job.

Oooh the cinematography is already beautiful.

The interview reveal is soooo good.

"Is it just me or is it getting crazier out there?" Yes.

"Have you been keeping up with your journal?" Yes.

Smoking indoors, which year is this set in? I want to go back.

"I just hope that my death makes more cents than my life." Same.

"Arthur you're on 7 different medications, surely they must be doing something?" Good line, reflective of today.

Ah, the famous stairs.

But seriously, Joaquin Phoenix is actually phenomenonal and he hasn't done anything yet.

The Neurological Condition reveal with the card was great.

His relationship with his mum/mom is sincere and haunting. (Again, reflective.)

The style of the TV and the fact that it's in black & white either suggests that they're poor or in the 50s. Or both.

So Arthur is 100% Autistic and also a fantasist. Even in his fantasies, he's self deprecating, showing that he's chronically depressed and suicidal - which we have also seen in earlier evidence in the interview scene. He obviously doesn't see himself too highly as a person as he already believes that the world is out to get him and/or he's in a constant uphill battle (as shown by the symbolism of the stairs that he has to climb every night) with the world because of systemic ableism that's built into everyone, even if you're trying to be kind to them (I.e. the kid on the bus, only to be shat on minutes later by the mother).

Oh, OK. So Daddy issues, got it.

And an eating disorder.

The sudden start and stop of laughter is soooo good. So sinister. But he obviously can't help it, can he?

Oh, his boss is a cunt. But Arthur is too slow to realise that he can just show his bruises. Shame. But it doesn't stop his boss from being a cunt. As I said, Late Stage Capitalism. It'll kill you.

Arthur is certainly Autistic or at least Autistic Coded. Or the very least, holding up a mirror to the ugly head of Ableism and how people think that anyone who shows the slightest sign or symptom of Mental Illness, Disorder or Condition and BOOM... you're weird an uncomfortable to be around.

Ah, yes. Mirroring. That won't get you in trouble. But it's how we, Autistics, bond and we think it's a good way of communicating. It should be a safe bet.

Mum/mom is also a delusional. Must be genetic from her to him. She has the wild notion that the man on the telly is going to come and make it all better and Arthur has the delusion that he's going to become a world famous stand up comedian by tomorrow night. However, he could just be saying that because he sees himself as a good boy trying to do good for his mom. And by saying that line to a woman who doesn't talk to anyone else bar him, nor does she leave the house, it gives her some hope. And vice versa. Which is a kind thing for them both to do.

Chekhov's gun. Well, Joker's gun.

Noooo, Arthur! Noooo! Stalking is bad. Bad boy. Go home.

"They don't hire Jews." Joke is actually very funny. Considering.

In his notepad: Eye Contact

Autistic.

This film is SO good.

I also love this scene of him at the comedy club and how he's laughing at things that are making him laugh and noone else is. Which is also making me laugh. Funny-ception.

"The worst part about mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you DON'T." is very funny, true and heartbreaking. This film is genius and genuine.

OK, the girl he stalked and mirrored was into it. This is either going to go badly and I'm gonna be heartbroken or... she becomes a baddie too.

He's now back to work as a Clown. And I feel like he's taken my job.

Noooooo. Not the gun. 😭 (Chekhov's gun.)

Thats a strong forehead smack.

Urgh... Men being men. "Don't ignore him, he's being nice to you." Nothing changes.

Why is this man on the Tube being such an arsehole? What is going on? Is everyone in Gotham a wanker?

Ah, so this is the switch. Joker is born. He goes from shooting in self defence, to briefly considering to shoot himself and then he leaves the train prematurely to go for the kill.

The slow dance in the bathroom is HAUNTING. It's his final transformation into The Joker. Leaving Arthur behind. Creating this new man. A metamorphosis. He does a motion that looks like he's about to put on a mask, and then he doesn't. The arms move forward. He no longer needs to mask or paint his face as that is who he is now and shall always be.

And the reflection with the crucified position in the mirror, solidifies him. That is it. There is no going back.

Annnnd... he gets the girl. Forcefully. (With consent.)

"Don't forget to Smile!"

"Yes, mother... *sigh*"

His Idol, essentially calling him a coward... not good news for your mental health.

It's now a class war. The Rich are apparently smart and have worth. The Poor are Clowns and are worth less than dirt.

Also, Cigarettes for Breakfast. (Breakfast at Tiffany's Joker's.)

"All I have are negative thoughts." And other commentary on being heard but not listened to.

"For my whole life, I didn't know if I even really existed." This is poetry. CC: Dissociative Disorder.

That's really interesting how they've just done his comedy set. So we're supposed to believe that it bombed, but we get the shot of his neighbour actually enjoying herself and that, to him, and to us, is a win. "Smile although your heart is breaking."

The girl approves of the "Killer Clown" and his antics. Therefore, she approves of him, without realising it. He, to the untrained eye, is giving off every red flag imaginable and she's charging at him like a bull to a cape. Somethings up. 🚩🚩🚩

Oooh, they're playing That's Life. Which will have a new cover in Joker 2: Folie à Deux. Easter egg (?)

Oooooh my G-d! Thomas is his Father! Holy shit! What a reveal! Oh the complexities! This is beautiful!

Augh! The Bruce Wayne reveal! Fuck yes! Fuck you movie for being too good.

Why is Bruce Wayne such an idiot that he'd just let a strange adult come up to the bar fence of his multi million dollar home, talk to him and touch his face etc.? Stupid boy.

Smoking at the hospital. Camp.

Also, ACAB.

Aww the neighbour is here. 🥰

OK, so Murray has got clips doing his stand up set on his show. To Arthur, this is a massive win. His idol, his favourite show, his dream. But it's not for good reason. They're taking the piss, but still, they're laughing at him. But not with him. Is it what he wants? Is it? He wants people to laugh and be happy no matter what. But this isn't the way he wants it. Especially whilst his mom is unconscious (coma?) And in hospital. He wanted her to see him be a TV star. But she's missing their favourite show and his 5 minutes of fave.

Oh the sadness. The heartbreak. Joaquin is SO good. I can FEEL the hurt in him. Also, the change in his hair style too. It's slowly got darker and more & more slicked back. As well as his clothes.

LOVE the next shot where he's in bed, FACING the darkness and the light is behind him. Chekhov's gun is in view (again). He's cuddling and smelling his mother's pillow. (Mommy issues.) And the newspaper that says KILL THE RICH on. Fantastic!

The lower class and the poor are in support of "the killer clown" because the Clown kills the Rich. And the Rich calls the Poor "Clowns". Funny considering that in a Circus, the Clown has the hardest job... they work for the longest time during a show (typically). They're not lazy at all. And the Rich (which you could say is the Ring Master of the situation) does nothing but shoehorn in the next act and the next and the next. Claiming that all of these acts are their products and properties and come from their apparent hard work, which is untrue. The Rich get Richer because of all the hard work the Poor do for them, and then the Rich claim it as their own right and intellectual property. Why? Because we allow it. Why? Because we have been taught to do so. Why? Because Rich people are at the top of the food chain. Why? Because we got told that's where they belong and we just accepted it. Why? Because anyone who fought back got killed or imprisoned or was told they were insane. Why? Because- (and the cycle continues...)

Anyway, the people of Gotham are now seeing Arthur for the first time. And he's finally feeling loved and accepted, or so he believes. But it's not him they're seeing. They're seeing The Clown/The Joker and what The Clown represents; I.e. ACAB, Eat The Rich etc.

Also, has anyone else noticed that Joaquin has a really lovely nose to look at? (I have somewhat a nose fetish, not sure what it is. I think it's the shapes that's within a nose. Just enjoy looking at and drawing noses - the best part of a face.)

Oooh, that hurt. The low key gaslighting. That was horrible. Not sure if its the truth or not but as a delusional who's still trying to work out their own truth... that must've shook his brain.

Also, that transition was beautiful.

That suicide attempt in the fridge was haunting. Christ.

This shot now, amazing! He's standing in the shadows and FACING the light, signifying that good is now coming. Brilliant.

The shot of him in the elevator at Arkham State Hospital with the guy screaming on the bed in silence... beautiful. The visual metaphor for his internalised struggle right now. And same goes for the bus shot; he's sat directly in the middle on the fence over the whole Murray situation and finding out new information about his mother.

He's now just admitted that he doesn't feel guilty about killing people. In fact, I don't think he's been distressed about the whole situation at all. He was more upset about losing his job.

Suspicions confirmed, mum lives with delusions and NPD, and abused her child. Whether that's Arthur as an adopted child or a birth child, we don't know yet.

OK, why is the neighbour only now acting as if they've not spent time together? "Your name is Arthur, right? You live down the hall." You should know that, right? Unless... ah... delusions.

"I haven't been happy for one minute of my entire fucking life."

Holy. Shit. He's gonna kill his mother. Fuck.

Also, smoking in the hospital. Camp.

Light (especially sunlight) is sooo symbolic in this film. Just look at where he's facing in each scene. Towards or away from the sunlight? And then note what he's doing. Clever, clever Director.

Ah, the autism coding again. Watching and rewatching the same clip to learn and mimic how to be a functional human being in front of your heroes.

Arthur rehearsing his time on Murray's show is sending shivers down my spine. Love it.

"Knock, knock." Shoots self. Classic. (That's Life.)

Now... here's The Joker. Here comes the green hair and the Clown make up again.

He does his first "proper" murder, but does the good thing and saves the only other guy who respects him because he's also a disabled person. (He's a dwarf, or as they have said in the film a "midget". Basically, the only other person who hasn't been ableist to Arthur yet.)

And now... his full transformation is complete. The Joker is finally here. He's settled into the world. The descent into madness has finished and he's reached rock bottom. And the only way out is going up.

Also, all of his killings till now can be classed as "just". The train killings were self defence. And ge technically put his mum out of her misery, she was going to die soon anyway. In his mind, he was doing good.

I love that his Clown make up actually matches the masks that everyone is wearing.

"Put on a happy face." In the mirror. Face meaning your own face, and "face" as in a face of make up. Clever.

Now he has his new name: (The) Joker. Arthur is dead.

Oh, wow. So a) he loves to entertain. That's his core, is to entertain. B) don't upstage The Joker. C) what a great piece of dialogue in that interview that talks about social commentary and ableism. "You get what you deserve."

Also... "Murraaayy." You gotta laugh.

Ahhhh. The Joker Riots leading to the death of Bruce Wayne's parents is genius. Genius! The whole film is genius! All those breadcrumbs... (Chekhov's Bruce Wayne?)

Using the blood around his mouth to redraw the Joker smile. Love that!

Also... he's now officially crucified himself as the Clown Jesus of Gotham. He high key has a cult now, and its not even of his own doing. He just killed 3 people because they were arseholes, not because of their finances or status. He just didn't like them. It was just coincidence that they were rich.

"What's funny?"

"You wouldn't get it."

That's Life.

The End.

What an ending. What a film.

Holy cow.

Did he kill that woman in the end? What the hell!? This film is low key perfect and I now know why it has all the fanboys.

It's a great advocate for mental illness tbh. I really enjoyed it. Hard hitting, silly (in places) and truthfully, a spiral of madness that we get to go on a journey with too.

Just insane.

9.5/10 🃏

There's probably loads of symbolism that I've missed and lots of stuff I could sit and write about. But I started this film at 4am and it's now 8.30am (or so) and the film is only 2 hours long. It's taken double the film time to get through due to writing and reacting to this at the same time as watching. But wow, what a fun film. Can't wait for Joker 2!

Joaquin Phoenix is fucking marvellous and his physical theatre is just soooooo good.

Will watch again.

KR 

😈🦖