Life is a Comedy

Ever felt like everything happening to you might just set up your life for the ultimate tragedy? Or maybe it is all a comedy.

Joker the new DC film based on Batman’s arch nemesis answers all these questions, actually it asks all these questions. The Joker has always been this complex character with no particular origin story, but this movie gives you one and it is crazy.

Joker has always been my favourite comic book villain and he probably is the most well-known comic book villain. And to see him get his own movie was a great move by DC and in my opinion it did not disappoint.

Spoiler Alert! Joker is nothing like your typical superhero or comic book movie, it is a character piece. Almost like a art house or independent film. It truly stands out as a movie that will be remembered for years to come, like The Dark Knight or The Avengers, but they differ like day from night.

Joaquin Phoenix excellently portrays the titular. The story changes Arthur Fleck from someone who suffers from mental illnesses to psychopath or anarchist.  He truly grasps these changes and makes the character believable.

The movies story is also perfectly written, it is so many twists and turns to show the audiences what effects mental illnesses can have on the human mind. Everything might not be portrayed accurately, but it can be relatable.

The movie is also overly violent during certain scenes and this might disturb sensitive viewers. I personally feel the violence is justifiable to convey the movie’s message and to show the characters growth.

The only problem I have with the movie is that it feels a little slow at times, but that can be easily forgotten due to Phoenix’s performance. The supporting characters are also portrayed well, but they do not get as much screen time. 

My Verdict

Joker proves that there are different kinds of comic book stories can still be translated to the silver screen. Not everything has to be humorous or filled with heavy CG-battles. Overall, I loved this movie. It might not be a good piece for those who suffer from severe mental illnesses or those who are offended easily. All I can say is, this is an Oscar-worthy movie, so go get your tickets at Ster-Kinekor today.

My Rating: 9.7 out 10 – Almost Perfect!