Movie Review of the Week: Joker (2019)

Even though Award Season is now over with the conclusion of the Oscars this past Sunday, I thought it would be timely to review the film that swept through the award shows. I saw Joker immediately when it was released last year because I have a secret love for Joaquin Phoenix ever since I watched him destroy his life in Walk the Line (2005) as Johnny Cash alongside Reese Witherspoon who so graciously played June Carter. I guess I'm just naturally drawn to damaged people.

ANYWAY...as soon as I left the theater, I was definitely more depressed and sad, but in the best way possible. For someone who loves the Batman series, I never paid attention to the Joker's background story because I just assumed something must have gone wrong in his life for him to want to murder people willingly. After discovering what he actually went through, as told by Todd Phillips and Scott Silver, I began a newfound obsession with his story and only craved more. The only thing about the film that I didn't understand myself was that he was medically diagnosed with the disability of laughing uncontrollably. Even though I didn't understand it, it definitely added to his character and made him more creepy in that sense. Although it made him very creepy, it also added a little bit of annoyance because at some points in the movie I truly wish it'd just stop. Otherwise, I thought Phoenix's performance was graceful, enchanting and downright epic. The way he portrayed a mentally ill person growing up during a time of filth and greed matched the way he physically looked and only added to the madness of Gotham City. The scene where Phoenix was dancing down the stairs ultimately would not have been complete if it wasn't for the beautiful composer Hildur Guonadottir. An Icelandic musician and composer, who completely played with my heart strings throughout the whole movie. The way she methodically played the cello flowing from scene to scene is what sealed the deal for me...Joker may have its faults, but in the end I am here for Hildur and Joaquin. HUGE congrats to Phoenix for winning several awards for this film including an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, which is rightfully deserved. Also, a huge congrats to Hildur Guonadottir for becoming the first solo woman to win a Golden Globe for best original score! 🏆🏆