Joker: A Lesson in Happiness

Joker, directed by Todd Phillips, is clearly a character piece. A psychological study, brilliantly crafted. From inciting incident to climax and ending, the film is a contemporary slow dance number in every way, rhythmically timed and paced to music that is sometimes only subtly present.

The movie follows Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a failed comedian who wants nothing but to bring laughter and joy to people’s lives. He is a man of multiple masks, but still finds himself having negative thoughts, isolated from the world around him. With the unwanted help of his friends at his place of work, Fleck begins a slow and painful transformation into the well known DC character, Joker.

Since its initial North American release in October 2019, audiences and critics alike, have regarded it as a classic descent into madness film, something akin to the likes of Taxi Driver (1976). This label is acceptable and accurate, but perhaps one would prefer ‘ascent into madness’ for in the moment that Fleck becomes the Joker, he is transcending the crowds, over taking society, and making a statement without the need for words. All he needs to do is smile to convince us that he has assumed his true identity, that what he has become is actually the best version of himself. As a character, he has succeeded. He is a comedian in his own right. 

"I used to think that my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it’s a comedy…"

After seeing this film for the second time at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto ahead of the Oscars, my initial thoughts of the film have been confirmed: if you are a fan of cinema, this is one of those movies, you must see on the big screen in full 5.1, 7.1, or Dolby Atmos surround sound. To see it on any other device would be to do a disservice to the filmmakers who spent so much time and effort crafting an art piece that showcases what it is to be a lost soul.

From the cinematography (Lawrence Sher, ASC) to the sound (Alan Robert Murray) and music (Hildur Guðnadóttir) , this 2hr 2min visual and audible masterpiece keeps our attention the entire time. The only flaws in Joker are a few missed opportunities in its choice of music cues and if you consider it a flaw, its prioritization of character over story. The story telling is non-traditional in the sense that the primary character’s intentions are never really clear until he makes those rash decisions throughout the film, sometimes unpredictable.

The filmmakers put us into the mind of Joker as best they can, and the films tone makes us feel like we are in the mind of this character. A lot of the time, it is quite difficult to watch the scenes play out because they are awkward or uncomfortable, but this was certainly the intentions of the producers and out sympathy for the devil meant to be there. If you are not in the mood for a tense film, tonight is not the night for Joker. Have you ever wondered how you can have so much sympathy for someone who is so evil? Well, be prepared to have sympathy for the Joker for the first time ever. Portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, Joker is a character we hate to love so much. Everything in his life has gone wrong and we care for him because of it. Even beyond the first few times we see him kill people, we still root for him to succeed. Imagine that. We want this person to live his best life even though living his best life means destruction and death. A normally undesirable life style suddenly becomes desirable for not only Arthur Fleck, but us, the audience as well.

That is the kind of film you are walking into: an ascent into madness, a destruction of your psyche, a study of character — temporary depression. If you’re ready for your heart rate to fluctuate, go see this film. If you’re ready to enjoy watching an apparent tragedy, go see this film. But, if you are used to the days of the Hangover where Phillips and Sher collaborated on actual laugh out loud comedies and that is what you want, you may as well stay home and re watch that trilogy because you not getting that with Joker. No. But it is a lesson in happiness.

4 stars.

An enjoyable experience where you admire a killer, dance a little in the theatre, and walk out questioning your own humanity.

NOTE: If you are under 16, go see it with an adult.

by Cameron Thorpe