Joker (2019)
A psychological spinoff of the Batman franchise... without the psychology.
Presentation:
The film is beautifully shot, lit and colored on the massive Arri Alexa 65 and primarily Nikon 58mm. 1.85 aspect ratio allows you to get really up and close portrait shots and see all of the minute performances from Joaquin, who plays a deeply hurt Joker. The film also has one or two really funny dark humor jokes, but there really should have been more of these moments as this felt more of a tragedy. The cinematographer is good, most notably the running scene which was influenced by Childish Gambino's "This is America". De Niro plays a truly dislikable character and a great subversion for a very thrilling climax, almost Tarantinoesque with clenching unpredictability.
Conclusion:
A good film, but not a good Joker film. Instability but no madness, an incomplete origin tale that relies on a sequel to put the pieces together. Although the writers are apparently saving how he turns into a mastermind, we don't really peek much into the psychological mind of Joker as we just see him continually getting abused over and over again. We can see his torment and eventual snap, I don't think we get enough of a glimpse into what really makes Joker tick, which is a disappointment. This may be covered in the sequel, but I still wish I saw more into how a man thinking everyone is awful and has wronged him could turn into a criminal mastermind. Joaquin humanizes our favorite clown and the instability is here, just doesn't bring the madness.
Recommendations
Come and become traumatized.