Joker is emblematic of the recent trend in making use of the antihero, a main character who exhibits negative characteristics that we don’t usually associate with protagonists. Usually, we like our protagonists to be “good guys” who fight “bad guys” and win. Definitely not what we get with this film.
Joker is the story of one Arthur Fleck, a broken and mentally ill man whose whole life has consisted of one cruel disappointment after another–and as those heartbreaking events come upon him in swift succession, Arthur seems to always become the victim of physical violence in some form or another. As Arthur observes, the rich have everything and don’t give a care about those at the bottom of the social ladder. Crime seems to pay; and after a few too many let-downs, Arthur decides to stop being a victim and live for his own amusement–which leads him to make victims of others.
Like Parasite, Joker includes no small amount of socio-economic commentary: Rich people are the enemy, and the poor are victims of the prosperity and selfishness of the upper class. Furthermore, Joker is an investigation of self, of motives, of how much power to allow one’s past to have over one’s future. So, it’s not just a film about violence, but it does have some really disturbing parts. Um, let me rephrase that: The whole film is disturbing, and you should definitely close your eyes during a couple of particularly gory parts. But if you are interested in mental illness and the study of it, this film could easily draw you in.
Why This Film Might Win BP:
Joaquin Phoenix is spectacular in this film. He is on-screen nearly the entire time, and it is difficult to look away from him. The surest bet out of all the Oscar categories this year is probably Phoenix for Best Actor. The supporting cast is solid, though pretty bland (not through any fault of their own…Phoenix just steals the show). The music is hauntingly beautiful (and may also win for Original Score), and the cinematography is creative. With a familiar character like the Joker, the current popularity of comics, and a performance like Phoenix’s, Joker could perhaps win BP.
Why This Film Might Not Win BP:
As captivating as Phoenix’s Joker is, he still makes me want to hide my head under a blanket and periodically peep over the top to see if I can come out yet. And I’m probably not alone in feeling this way. This movie might just be too dark for Academy voters to choose it for their top prize. It hasn’t been long enough since Heath Ledger’s posthumous Oscar win for playing the same character–a role which caused him mental and emotional anguish and led to his eventual demise. Although Phoenix is sure to follow in Ledger’s footsteps and be handed a little golden man for playing one of the creepiest villains to appear in film in the last decade or so, the makers of Joker might not be laughing at the end of the night tomorrow.