Reflections
on “Joker” (2019)
Directed
by Todd Phillips
Written
by Todd Phillips and Scott Silver
Starring
Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz and Frances Conroy
This film presents a plea for
compassion, understanding, empathy and humanity, while also offering up an
extreme demonstration of potential consequences for society if we fail to
deliver these qualities.
As depicted, society is in decay,
both physically and spiritually, with a sort of underclass struggling to cope
with overcrowding, dead-end jobs, sub-standard housing, threat to provision of
health-care due to financial cuts and services manned by overworked, tired and
inattentive operators.
Arthur Fleck works as a party
clown for hire and this fits with others’ perceptions of Arthur and, indeed,
his perception of himself as one who is not to be taken seriously, provides
short-term entertainment, is forgettable and who wears make-up or a mask to
hide, and perhaps protect, his true feelings and identity. He has mental health
issues, is something of a misfit and a loner and his problems are exacerbated
by those keen to boost their own self-esteem by abusing Arthur, verbally,
emotionally and physically.
He is acutely aware of his own
shortcomings and problems, though he does his best to be what society regards
as a good person, caring for his mother, holding down a job and generally
treating others with respect and kindness. He appears to have been cowed into
accepting what he and others see as his subordinate position in society and,
desperate to fit in, he rather meekly accepts others’ unfair and dismissive
treatment of him, almost as if he feels this is all he deserves.
However, after a series of
mishaps, arguments and accusations which evoke feelings of injustice and
distress, he is abused, bullied and assaulted on the subway by a group of
arrogant young businessmen who work for billionaire Thomas Wayne, but this time
Arthur takes action to defend himself and, with a little revenge thrown in, he
shoots his assailants dead, then flees the scene.
He is shocked and upset, yet
invigorated, by his initiative and he discovers his actions have considerable
public support, especially when Thomas Wayne condemns the killing of his
employees, dismissively citing envy and jealousy among the poor as the
motivation for the murders, comments that incite resentment and social unrest.
Arthur is bolstered and
encouraged by this response and he goes on to uncover the whole sorry truth of
his victimisation and abuse as a child, revelations which free him from the
shackles of feelings of inadequacy, appeasement of others and low self-esteem,
and he feels empowered. He recognises his own suffering at the hands of others
and that responsibility for the consequences of his mistreatment lie not with
him but with them, and he sets out to educate and punish those who continue to
feel they have the right to act in a superior, condescending and hurtful manner
at the expense of others and who fail to recognise or be concerned about the
impact of their actions on those they abuse.
There are questions and doubts as
to just how much of what we see is real or in his mind, but there is no
doubting that Arthur’s transformation is real and he appears to have gone from
feelings of deficiency and inferiority to others to rejecting all laws, limits
and morality.
In keeping with comic-book
traditions, extremes are used to clarify positions and points, but this is an
origin story for a comic-book villain like no other in that Arthur’s destiny as
the Joker is almost irrelevant to the tale that unfolds before us. This is a
brave and daring film that offers a stinging indictment of a society in which
some turn their backs on and feel superior to those who struggle to find a
place in a commercial and highly competitive society, yet society is dependent
on the contributions of all for business, position, education, protection and
care.
Compassion, empathy and social
justice may be viewed as lubricants essential to the smooth and continued
functioning of the machinery of society and this film suggests that if we
ignore them, we do so at our peril. It is a disturbing film and one that is not
for everyone, but it is thoughtful and rewarding. The script and direction are
brisk and engaging, and develop the themes and main character in an orderly and
structured fashion while creating an atmosphere of disorder and chaos.
In terms of performance, I can
only say that I concur with the general view that Joaquin Phoenix is quite
extraordinary in the role and I think he thoroughly deserved his Academy Award.
My thanks for taking the time to
read this article. I hope you found it of some value.
Stuart Fernie
I can be contacted at stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk .
No comments:
Post a Comment