Will you watch the sequel? BATMAN Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLQHhQlj8i5drBSzNvmBZkvf87VhW3a1nV SUPERHERO Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLQHhQlj8i5dopvtiurLnZTGXuc5ngzQD6
I remember seeing this in the theater. Absolutely blew me away. The acting, the cinematography, the unreliability of reality, the mood, everything was top notch. I distinctly remember absolute silence when the movie was over. Nobody said a word, they just walked out of the theater in shock. I'm really happy that these sorts of movies can actually still be made even if they are extremely rare. The fact that you can fear someone and have empathy/pity for them at the same time is a refreshing take on villains. Regardless of how this fits in(or doesn't) to the entire Batman/Joker world, this movie is a masterpiece.
Well said. Every blue moon you get to see genius elements come together. The artistic party of this type of gem, is when it makes you think on all elements, just as in Joker's perspective, is this real or am I in a another state of mind I am about to wake from. Some people say it glorifies the horror or it all, however I disagree, in which it showcases the sad trues of what some people have to endure and need more than just medical help IMHO.
The saddest thing about this movie is the struggle he has for human connection. It's all because he can't interface with people normally. He craves that connection with other people, but his disability won't allow him to form it. That's why he's watching the comedy show, he's trying to analyze and figure out what other people thing is funny because it just doesn't compute for him. It's not even his descent into madness - it's society pushing him into madness. Anger, indifference, a system that doesn't help the people it purports to help, etc.
The point of the movie is that this is Joker telling us his story, and we don't know what is real or not. For all we know he's making up the story to try to escape. Or maybe most of it is real or none of it is real. We just don't know. The only thing that seems certain is that everything we saw did not happen the way it is told.
Makes you wonder how many guillty people do or do not, in actuality, qualify for an 'insanity' plea. It's safe to say, though, that what's important is shielding the vulnerable from the malevolent, even if it's themselves they're hurting.
Joaquin Phoenix has to be one of the greatest actors of this generation. His portrayal of the Joker here, and his role as Commodus in Gladiator are some of the best dramatic performances in the history of television.
Not only is he a great actor but he handled himself expertly in the promotion leading up to this movie with all the press and you know whos trying to bait him into their agenda. It's too bad about his recent embarrassing role in Napoleon. I mean Ridley Scott is the one to blame but Joaquin should have listened to his instincts and turn down that pathetic role.
History of television? You mean cinema? He was a good villain in Gladiator but I wouldn't put that anywhere near the top of best dramatic performances ever. I could see why someone would think this role was though.
Hildur Guðnadóttir was hired to compose the film's score and began writing music without having seen a single frame of film (very unconventional as most scores happen in post-production) after reading the script and meeting with writer/director, Todd Phillips, and managed ti compose a wholly unique theme for the Joker. Guðnadóttir would go on to win the Oscar for Best Original Score, marking herself as the first solo woman to win since the music categories were combined. When I think of the Joker, I immediately think of her cello work. It’s so defined and beautifully elegant with an air of unsettling doom. In fact the bathroom scene where Phoenix does the dancing after the train murders he was able to listen to a piece of the score and improvised those dance moves.
The late Angelo Badalamenti did the same for Twin Peaks, creating a musical "library" which were chosen from to add great mood to moments in the show. And he composed the opening theme music from David Lynch describing a scene to him to imagine of Laura.
In the comics, we never really get a definitive origin for the Joker. The character once said "If I have to have a past, I'd prefer it to be multiple choice." That's part of the mystery of the character and what makes him such a compelling and alluring character. In some incarnations it's shown that he might have at one time been a failed stand up comedian, similar to how it's shown in this interpretation. Also, in the comics, Batman's parents are killed by a man named Joe Chill. Joker only killed his parents in the 1989 Batman film.
There's a Graphic Novel and an Animated Movie (both) called "The Killing Joke" and it's the closest thing to a true Joker's Origin Story. In it, he was also depicted as a struggling, stand-up comedian...👌
I enjoyed this film but I definitely think the Joker character works best with a mysterious origin. And while I enjoyed the film and think this take on the Joker was compelling to watch, I don't really think it works for the character as a whole. Because he's not really a mastermind or genius in this. So while he works as a deranged character that could pull off the type of spontaneous outburst killings we see here, there's nothing in this film that would make me believe that Aurthur Fleck would ever have the capacity to be a criminal mastermind.
This movie is a cinematic masterpiece, it’s so intense and mind blowing. Joaquin’s performance was absolutely phenomenal, he definitely deserved his Oscar win for this role.
Notice how when Joker walks off the center stage of the Murray show into the blue lighting. The blue light hits his red suit and it makes it appear purple, like the classic joker suit he has in the comics, shows, games and such. It's like in that instant he fully transforms and truly *becomes* The Joker.
Pheonix's portrayal of Joker in this film has got to be some of the best acting of all time. The Direction was amazing, as was the music too. My only sympathy was for Arthur, in this film. This film held up a mirror to society and its cruel and barbaric treatment of the poor, and the mentally ill. Society turned Arthur into the Joker. A person with a brain injury, and other mental illnesses, acting as a carer, no money, trying to work, trying to connect on a human level with others, and he's beaten, abused, treated with disdain, cut off from support and medication. The simple fact that in the US you can be denied essential medication if you cant pay, is barbaric..and its a real thing. Being from the UK with Universal free healthcare,..this just seems disgraceful. ... is it any wonder the character of Arthur snaps under the harsh and heartless conditions? Folk have said they feel sorry for Arthur untill he crosses the line,.. but to me, I can only see how he was pushed over it. Nope,.. he is'nt at fault in this film. Society and Politics bears that responsibility.
This might as well be Joker's canonical backstory because it's better than anything anyone else could come up with. Amazing movie with an amazing performance. I was ready for this to be the worst thing ever made when it was announced but i have never been more wrong about a movie in my life.
The movie is great, but personally I don't think this belongs in the same universe as Batman. The Joker is chaos and mystery, having A Sick Guy become the Joker because he stopped taking his meds and didn't get help is ... not a great Batman-Joker to be honest. I do think the movie is a masterpiece though.
What a remarkable performance from Joaquin Phoenix! His character is such a monster, yet I feel so bad for him. Oscar well deserved. See you in the chat, Jen!
My opinion has not changed since the cinema premiere: I wish there were more films like this. There is a place for simple "good vs. evil" stories (everyone knows the classic examples) but more layered character portrayals and stories that cannot be told in one sentence represent more value to me. Here, movie references are also part of the creative concept.
Joe Chill is actually the one who canonically kills Thomas and Martha Wayne, The Joker being the killer was only done by Tim Burton as a creative liberty.
I'd say it's a mix of that and Scorcese's The King Of Comedy. The scene in Joker where Arthur is 'rehearsing' being a guest on the talk show is almost visually identical to a scene with De Niro in that film.
Fun Fact: The bathroom dance scene and the "forgot to punch out" was improvised by Joaquin. Also the name of the club "Pogo" was the name of the clown charter of John Wayne Gacy.
Check out Joaquin in 'You Were Never Really Here'. Brutal, grim, neo noir crime thriller drama. He plays an ex soldier with PTSD, who is now a hired gun, specialising in rescue trafficked girls / young women. Using brutal methods against their captors. It's 'Taken' for adults.
Hey Jen, I lived in NYC Washington Heights and the endless rows of stairs is intense and so see it used as pictoral element in the movie. ------ To portray the uphill climb he faces at the start of the movie. ------ Then the easy dance down the stairs once Aurthur embraces his madness.
I read that the punching of the timecard machine and him getting into the fridge were not planned at all...he just did it in his performance, and the director loved it. Hey that's life 🤡
Hey Jen, It's crazy that you mentioned the dancing scene especially because the director said it wasn't supposed to be in the film originally at all. ------- Joaquin Phoenix just adlibbed it and they all went with it. -------- The man is next level on the acting scale. ------- His performance was so impressive it redefined a character we all thought was set in stone. -------- But as we all know the Joker draws in his own sandbox.
The thing with Batman's Rogues Gallery (his villains) is that many DO have tragic backstories, or were given tragic backstories over time as comics started delving into more mature subject matter.
Nominated for 11 Oscars including Best Picture but won for Best Actor Joaquin Phoenix and Best Original Score. It made $1 billion dollars at the box office, making one of the highest grossing R Rated movies ever made. It drew controversy upon release as David Fincher hated the film, stating that "it glorifies someone who has serious mental health issues as the protagonist is made into the hero rather than the villain."
It's been implied that Joker knows he's a fictional character and plays his role to the hilt for the audience. It's also why he thinks his reality is a joke and nobody else gets it but him.
You could say that about any villain, though. Every villain backstory ever conceived has some tragic element to it because villains don't come from healthy, stable backgrounds. At least, not in fiction, anyway.
It was a richly deserved Oscar win considering how much of his performance was improvised. the dancing in the bathroom, punching the time clock, climbing into the fridge among other things
So glad you checked this out. Yeah, in a lot of pop culture the limited time restraints tend to gloss over the deep character stuff in favor of plot and action. But a great thing about Batman's Rogues are that they all represent serious psychological problems that possibly could have been helped in a better culture that valued people and mental health.
This movie’s a masterpiece. To think that it’s the same man (Todd Phillips) that made The Hangover movies is just wild. Cause that’s such a leap & a huge difference in 2 entirely different type of movies. Props to Phillips for creating a timeless masterpiece. I’ve watched this movie at least 7 times. Only seen the hangover movies once & was not the biggest fan. Joker is one of my favorite dc movies ever.
Joaquin Phoenix deserved his Oscar for the Joker. He took the character and ran with it. The character was creepy yet you almost sympathize with him. It is a great movie to watch after a long day.
This was one of the absolute best modern comic book films I've ever seen in a theater. Joaquin Phoenix absolutely crushed this role. It was like a combination of Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger all together. I also loved how it was the Joker who was the one responsible for the deaths of the Waynes reminiscent of Batman 1989. Little fun fact, Arthur's boss who fires him is the voice of Raphael from the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.
Good reaction to what really is a very different comic book movie. It does touch upon so many things that affect so many mentally ill, or even just disillusioned people. You can see the similarities to Taxi Driver, which is a Scorsese masterpiece with DeNiro. However, this film directly references Scorsese's The King of Comedy (with DeNiro also, in the main role that ironically parallels Phoenix's in Joker) in so many of the scenes. Both great films worthy of a reaction.
There is one constant here that is considered canon to the character. As stated in "The Killing Joke" - The Joker prefers his origin to be multiple choice. "Joker" is a disturbing masterpiece with brilliant writing and acting. There are many nuanced layers, analogies, symbolic metaphors, and Easter eggs that yield far too much discussion to be had in the comment section. Most of all, there were questions. What was real, and what was in Joker's head? Arthur Fleck was a kind, little man trapped in a dangerous society - forced to beg that society to help him "open the door to salvation". - (Easter egg: A. Fleck = Affleck - referencing Ben Affleck's Batman) Arthur saw himself in Gary (the kind little man) trapped in the apartment with him. The little man was forced to beg Arthur (the dangerous killer) for help. Society wouldn't open the door to help Arthur, but at least Arthur could open the door for Gary. *"What if Thomas Wayne arranged to cover up his embarrassing affair?"* He had the power and the means. If so then Thomas had 2 mentally ill children with opposite behaviors. Arthur as an agent of crime & chaos with uncontrollable laughter. And Bruce, the somber boy - an agent of law & order with PTSD who could not smile. Whether true or illusion, it explains Joker's "obsessive bond" with Batman. - *Was Arthur locked in Arkham Asylum the entire time imagining everything?* At the end, he stood on the police car smearing a bloody smile on his face as he was accepted by the violent anarchy. If this were imagined - Reality would shatter this illusion the Joker had of acceptance. Was reality only at the end with the Psychologist Session? If she could pull him into reality he would lose the illusion where he was accepted. The 'joke' Arthur mentioned the Psychologist wouldn't get: He recognized she was trying to help him. This made her a threat to his illusions of finally being accepted. Therefore Arthur "The Joker" Fleck needed to murder the only person he ever met that was trying to help him.
It's very loosely based from Joker's origin story in "The Killing Joke" comic. He's a struggling comedian, had a pregnant wife (who perished) and was forced to join a mob heist in Axis Chemicals, causing him to fall into a stream of toxic waste, and the rest is history. Arthur's "laughing sickness" is real, it's called Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) with sudden bursts of crying, laughing or anger out of nowhere. You did notice that scene from the medical file from the child abuse that caused the brain damage.
This movie is all about the sound design. The most brilliant use of which is when Arthur is in Sophie’s apartment and the music builds to a stifling crescendo and then just stops. I was in the theater thinking, “What the hell just happened?” And then they reveal that she didn’t know who he was beyond his name and that he lived down the hall with his mother. That was mind blowing, and amazing use of sound in film. So good. Also, I haven’t read all of the comments because there are too many but this movie is highly derivative of Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” and “The King of comedy.”
Life is never just black and white and villains are never two dimensional. IMO, this is the best version of the Batman cannon. On every level, this film is great. Joaquin's acting is superb, right up there with Heath Ledger.
Hey Jen, you asked for someone to help Authur Fleck. In the end he helps himself. In the most gruesome darkest way. Great reaction Jen. This might have been you're best yet.
Joaquin Phoenix and Heath Ledger both won Oscars for their portrayal of the Joker character. They were the second pair of actors to win Oscars for portraying the same character joining Marlon Brando and Robert DeNiro for playing Vito Corleone in the Godfather movies. A couple of years ago Ariana DuBose won for playing Anita in the remake of West Side Story. Rita Moreno won an Oscar for playing the same role in the original.
A brilliant movie about the tragedy of trauma and the consequences of an uncaring system. Phoenix is amazing, inspiring empathy, pity, and fear. Expecting many shocked and worried looks behind Jen's Serious Girl Spectacles on this one.
Thank you Jenn for doing a reaction to this movie. I saw this the first week it came out in theaters and loved it. Joaquin Phoenix earned his Oscar Award for his performance as The JOKER. 🃏🤡
Yes, the movie that makes you sympathetic towards a psychopath and makes you ponder the question "should...should I be rooting for this guy?...because I worryingly am."
This film , is a character study of complete and utter systemic failure , from being left with his abusive/crazy mother , up till the social worker who is completely disinterested , and a then add-on top of a city that is falling apart, and the film illustrates how people just fall through the cracks when nobody cares .
We very briefly hear the song "My Name is Carnival" by Jackson C. Frank. Frank recorded one album of folk music in 1965 which was produced by Paul Simon. Frank had a life long problem with mental illness beginning in childhood when an explosion at his elementary school killed several of his classmates while he sustained burns to 50% of his body. His mental illness descended further with the death of one of his children. He was also shot in eye with a pellet gun while sitting on a bench. Jackson C. Frank died in 1999 at the age of 56. He lived a haunted life but he left the world some beautiful music. R.I.P.
Hey Jen. Your reaction to 'JOKER" was so impressive ------ You're emotional intelligence was off the charts on this one. ------ Also, you are so emotionally and psychologically in tune, that made the reaction become top level. ------- It's such a Top-level reaction in my opinion. ------- Watching you analyze the subject matter of the movie on the fly was very impressive with Aurthur's decent into madness. ------- Keep up the awesome work.
As far as how this fits into lore, you kinda have to take each continuity of a comic-based movie as its own universe, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Like how Tim Burton's Batman and Joker have nothing to do with Nolan's Batman and Joker Like I think there's comic continuities this background could possibly be in, but I'm not familiar enough to know which is which. But like, there's a continuity where Thomas Wayne becomes batman, Martha becomes the Joker, and Bruce is who dies that night
looking forward to chilling in the live chat even if its kinda late , no worries i have matchsticks lol this was disturbing and dark but as always a great outro and a top reaction :)
I read that this was influenced by two Scorsese films: The King of Comedy; and (I think?) Taxi Driver (both starring De Niro; which is one of the reasons why he was in this).
I was stuck during a typhoon in Japan and this was the only english dubbed movie in the theater. Didn't know anything about the movie or the batman lore except that the Joker was a villian. Oh my how was I suprised, moved and swept by this film, to my opinion the best of 2019 along with Parasites.
I believe this year (although I may be wrong as I'm a bit behind on my Batman comics, but working on it!) that DC finally made "Batman: The Killing Joke" Jokers canon and therefor Jokers official origin story. Batman: The Killing Joke was written by Alan Moore, who created V For Vendetta, the film adaptation you reacted to not long ago. The story told in this movie is its own thing.
I feel like Arthur has the sad fate of not being allowed to be happy. For him to be happy, and confident, and enjoy life, he has to completely let go and become unhinged. Killing gives him confidence, power, but not in a normal "super villain way". But like someone who lives their whole life in torment, on constant medications, and this power only brings him up to "normal" levels. Arthur is cursed to either live a life of pain to keep society around him safe from his actions, or let go to enjoy life the way he likes to do it...killing and chaos.
I'm not even convinced he likes the killing and chaos. I think it's more like he stopped caring about the rules, because despite him doing his best the only thing he got out of it was negative interactions and pain. I'm not sure being Joker makes him happy. It just makes him not unhappy.
hmmm i don't remember those last scenes; the police talking to him, the robber telling Bruce's dad something or how they actually died. neither I recall the joker singing at the end. this was added after? I really don't remember those scenes. Great reaction!, I definitely enjoyed you feeling the suspense this movie make us all feel the first time we saw it. A truly master piece, a rare gem this days.
I don't give them easily but this movie is a 10/10 for me. Its perfect in every way and Phoenix has got everything to do with it. DC can go really deep. Especially the moment he reads his dossier in the stairwell, when his laughter is clearly a cry, a wail. thats a good actor, that is a great actor.
He only laughs when he is nervous, uncomfortable. This movie, u really feel sympathy for Author. He just keeps getting knocked down, emotionally and physically. Till, the event on the train incident, he snapped. He was just a product of his environment.U see, this is an elsewhere story. Not connected to anything u have watched before. He never wanted to hurt anyone. He only killed people that deserved it.
Hey Jen, you break down many times in both parts of this Joker reaction. -------- The two that stand out to me are when Authur shoots the men on the train and when you find out that his GF is not really in a relationship with him. ---------- My God to see your face is next-level pain and empathy. You are one of the best for sure.
Will you watch the sequel?
BATMAN Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLQHhQlj8i5drBSzNvmBZkvf87VhW3a1nV
SUPERHERO Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLQHhQlj8i5dopvtiurLnZTGXuc5ngzQD6
There is no doubt in my mind. 💚
Undecided...🤔
Yes
I'll watch it with you.
Yes, because it's a musical and I want to see what on Earth that will look like.
"You're the only one that was ever nice to me." Those words have never been more powerful.
I remember seeing this in the theater. Absolutely blew me away. The acting, the cinematography, the unreliability of reality, the mood, everything was top notch. I distinctly remember absolute silence when the movie was over. Nobody said a word, they just walked out of the theater in shock.
I'm really happy that these sorts of movies can actually still be made even if they are extremely rare. The fact that you can fear someone and have empathy/pity for them at the same time is a refreshing take on villains.
Regardless of how this fits in(or doesn't) to the entire Batman/Joker world, this movie is a masterpiece.
Well said. Every blue moon you get to see genius elements come together. The artistic party of this type of gem, is when it makes you think on all elements, just as in Joker's perspective, is this real or am I in a another state of mind I am about to wake from.
Some people say it glorifies the horror or it all, however I disagree, in which it showcases the sad trues of what some people have to endure and need more than just medical help IMHO.
unfortunately joker 2 is shaping up to be a terrible sequel. welp going to wait for reviews before i see it
Great movie, but it's not a Joker movie. People praise it but its not even close to the Joker origin story.
"That crazy run" is how you'd run if you constantly wore huge clown shoes. What a great acting detail.
The saddest thing about this movie is the struggle he has for human connection. It's all because he can't interface with people normally. He craves that connection with other people, but his disability won't allow him to form it. That's why he's watching the comedy show, he's trying to analyze and figure out what other people thing is funny because it just doesn't compute for him.
It's not even his descent into madness - it's society pushing him into madness. Anger, indifference, a system that doesn't help the people it purports to help, etc.
The point of the movie is that this is Joker telling us his story, and we don't know what is real or not. For all we know he's making up the story to try to escape. Or maybe most of it is real or none of it is real. We just don't know. The only thing that seems certain is that everything we saw did not happen the way it is told.
Makes you wonder how many guillty people do or do not, in actuality, qualify for an 'insanity' plea. It's safe to say, though, that what's important is shielding the vulnerable from the malevolent, even if it's themselves they're hurting.
@@willpina Although the Joker lies, and does so often, I think the true emotions he feels are relayed through his lies.
I LOVE this film - completely blew away expectations when it came out and pulls no punches with its look at mental illness.
Joaquin Phoenix has to be one of the greatest actors of this generation. His portrayal of the Joker here, and his role as Commodus in Gladiator are some of the best dramatic performances in the history of television.
He did a movie called 'Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot' in 2018 that went under the radar. Highly recommend to Phoenix lovers.
Not only is he a great actor but he handled himself expertly in the promotion leading up to this movie with all the press and you know whos trying to bait him into their agenda. It's too bad about his recent embarrassing role in Napoleon. I mean Ridley Scott is the one to blame but Joaquin should have listened to his instincts and turn down that pathetic role.
History of television? You mean cinema? He was a good villain in Gladiator but I wouldn't put that anywhere near the top of best dramatic performances ever. I could see why someone would think this role was though.
I remember seeing him in Space Camp when he was just a kid.
@@edgar_friendly Thanks for the recommendation, haven't heard of "Don't Worry..." will definitely check it out. I owe you some Taco Bell!
Ledger and Nicholson a tough act to follow but, by showing a grounded real world story of a damaged guy in a crumbling society, it really worked.
I like the fact that traditionally, the Waynes were killed after seeing a Zorro film. Here, they were seeing “Zorro the Gay Blade”
I had to Google to see If that title was real and to my suprise it was. "The Gay Blade", lol! XD =P
@@JW666 It is actually pretty funny.
@@JW666 It's a very good movie btw.
@@MrCzerillo Yeah, it was already clear that it was taking place as Gotham/New York was trying to recover from the Carter years.
I was fearful for Gary’s life when he’s trapped in the apartment room. He is the one person who treated Arthur with kindness.
Hildur Guðnadóttir was hired to compose the film's score and began writing music without having seen a single frame of film (very unconventional as most scores happen in post-production) after reading the script and meeting with writer/director, Todd Phillips, and managed ti compose a wholly unique theme for the Joker. Guðnadóttir would go on to win the Oscar for Best Original Score, marking herself as the first solo woman to win since the music categories were combined.
When I think of the Joker, I immediately think of her cello work. It’s so defined and beautifully elegant with an air of unsettling doom. In fact the bathroom scene where Phoenix does the dancing after the train murders he was able to listen to a piece of the score and improvised those dance moves.
The late Angelo Badalamenti did the same for Twin Peaks, creating a musical "library" which were chosen from to add great mood to moments in the show. And he composed the opening theme music from David Lynch describing a scene to him to imagine of Laura.
That was totally improvised and Todd filmed that as it happened.
In the comics, we never really get a definitive origin for the Joker. The character once said "If I have to have a past, I'd prefer it to be multiple choice." That's part of the mystery of the character and what makes him such a compelling and alluring character. In some incarnations it's shown that he might have at one time been a failed stand up comedian, similar to how it's shown in this interpretation. Also, in the comics, Batman's parents are killed by a man named Joe Chill. Joker only killed his parents in the 1989 Batman film.
There's a Graphic Novel and an Animated Movie (both) called "The Killing Joke" and it's the closest thing to a true Joker's Origin Story. In it, he was also depicted as a struggling, stand-up comedian...👌
@@tomhoffman4330 that's the one I was referring to
I enjoyed this film but I definitely think the Joker character works best with a mysterious origin. And while I enjoyed the film and think this take on the Joker was compelling to watch, I don't really think it works for the character as a whole. Because he's not really a mastermind or genius in this. So while he works as a deranged character that could pull off the type of spontaneous outburst killings we see here, there's nothing in this film that would make me believe that Aurthur Fleck would ever have the capacity to be a criminal mastermind.
That's awesome, I love it
@@moonlitegram It's an alternate universe story, not THE Joker.
This movie is a cinematic masterpiece, it’s so intense and mind blowing. Joaquin’s performance was absolutely phenomenal, he definitely deserved his Oscar win for this role.
Stunning and tragic performance
Everything that joaquin phoenix does is Gold
Joker was good but it is the rated R version of The king of comedy 1982
Murray found it mind blowing, at least.
He's a talented actor 😌
Notice how when Joker walks off the center stage of the Murray show into the blue lighting. The blue light hits his red suit and it makes it appear purple, like the classic joker suit he has in the comics, shows, games and such. It's like in that instant he fully transforms and truly *becomes* The Joker.
This movie is a gamechanger, one of the greatest comic book related productions, period. I am DYING for Joker Folie Au Deux!
Pheonix's portrayal of Joker in this film has got to be some of the best acting of all time. The Direction was amazing, as was the music too. My only sympathy was for Arthur, in this film. This film held up a mirror to society and its cruel and barbaric treatment of the poor, and the mentally ill. Society turned Arthur into the Joker. A person with a brain injury, and other mental illnesses, acting as a carer, no money, trying to work, trying to connect on a human level with others, and he's beaten, abused, treated with disdain, cut off from support and medication. The simple fact that in the US you can be denied essential medication if you cant pay, is barbaric..and its a real thing. Being from the UK with Universal free healthcare,..this just seems disgraceful. ... is it any wonder the character of Arthur snaps under the harsh and heartless conditions? Folk have said they feel sorry for Arthur untill he crosses the line,.. but to me, I can only see how he was pushed over it. Nope,.. he is'nt at fault in this film. Society and Politics bears that responsibility.
So glad i could catch your reaction Jen. One thing I'll say, Jack Nicholson, Heath ledger and Joaquin phoenix each owned their versions of the Joker.
Don't forget Mark Hamill
Jared Leto... 😂😅
@OlJackBurton nah we don't need to talk about that
The color science and over saturated scenes were *chef's kiss*
This might as well be Joker's canonical backstory because it's better than anything anyone else could come up with. Amazing movie with an amazing performance. I was ready for this to be the worst thing ever made when it was announced but i have never been more wrong about a movie in my life.
The movie is great, but personally I don't think this belongs in the same universe as Batman. The Joker is chaos and mystery, having A Sick Guy become the Joker because he stopped taking his meds and didn't get help is ... not a great Batman-Joker to be honest. I do think the movie is a masterpiece though.
What a remarkable performance from Joaquin Phoenix! His character is such a monster, yet I feel so bad for him. Oscar well deserved. See you in the chat, Jen!
My opinion has not changed since the cinema premiere: I wish there were more films like this. There is a place for simple "good vs. evil" stories (everyone knows the classic examples) but more layered character portrayals and stories that cannot be told in one sentence represent more value to me. Here, movie references are also part of the creative concept.
If you have not seen the film yet, I would suggest watching the film "Amadeus."
Masterpiece on many levels, portrayal of mental illness, written and acted.
Taxi driver + King of Comedy = Joker
All three have De Niro
If You'd be Interested, My Friend @ShreeNation recently Reacted to "The King of Comedy."👌
@@tomhoffman4330 I saw that actually. I'm subbed to her channel.
Martin Scorsese loves this movie too. He’s not a fan of comic book movies but he says that this one is art
Joe Chill is actually the one who canonically kills Thomas and Martha Wayne, The Joker being the killer was only done by Tim Burton as a creative liberty.
This movie was very much made in open homage to Taxi Driver, which yes, is a must-watch.
Taxi Driver is on this week's Patreon poll
@@jenmurrayxo Let's not forget De Niro in King of Comedy.
I'd say it's a mix of that and Scorcese's The King Of Comedy. The scene in Joker where Arthur is 'rehearsing' being a guest on the talk show is almost visually identical to a scene with De Niro in that film.
Absolutely the spiritual successor to Taxi Driver
Fun Fact: The bathroom dance scene and the "forgot to punch out" was improvised by Joaquin. Also the name of the club "Pogo" was the name of the clown charter of John Wayne Gacy.
Joaquin Phoenix is a masterclass actor in this! The greatest role he's ever been imo! 💜 💚
Dark, even for an R rated DC comic movie. What a performance, that guy frightens me. I'm just not sure I'm letting Joaquin babysit my niece.....
Check out Joaquin in 'You Were Never Really Here'.
Brutal, grim, neo noir crime thriller drama.
He plays an ex soldier with PTSD, who is now a hired gun, specialising in rescue trafficked girls / young women. Using brutal methods against their captors.
It's 'Taken' for adults.
Hey Jen, I lived in NYC Washington Heights and the endless rows of stairs is intense and so see it used as pictoral element in the movie. ------ To portray the uphill climb he faces at the start of the movie. ------ Then the easy dance down the stairs once Aurthur embraces his madness.
I read that the punching of the timecard machine and him getting into the fridge were not planned at all...he just did it in his performance, and the director loved it. Hey that's life 🤡
Also the dance down the stairs, that was Joaquin's idea.
It really just shows if your just kind to people how much a difference it makes in their day even if their world is dark
The comedy club where Arthur does his standup act is called POGO'S. The serial killer, John Wayne Gacey's clown name was POGO.
"Everyone's going to laugh at him." Well isn't that what he wants?
Hey Jen, It's crazy that you mentioned the dancing scene especially because the director said it wasn't supposed to be in the film originally at all. ------- Joaquin Phoenix just adlibbed it and they all went with it. -------- The man is next level on the acting scale. ------- His performance was so impressive it redefined a character we all thought was set in stone. -------- But as we all know the Joker draws in his own sandbox.
The thing with Batman's Rogues Gallery (his villains) is that many DO have tragic backstories, or were given tragic backstories over time as comics started delving into more mature subject matter.
Doesn't all villains have a tragic backstories, and not just the ones in Batman.. I doubt anyone become a villain with a happy backstory
Nominated for 11 Oscars including Best Picture but won for Best Actor Joaquin Phoenix and Best Original Score.
It made $1 billion dollars at the box office, making one of the highest grossing R Rated movies ever made.
It drew controversy upon release as David Fincher hated the film, stating that "it glorifies someone who has serious mental health issues as the protagonist is made into the hero rather than the villain."
David Fincher only hated it because he didn't make it first lol
Basically this - Fincher would have been on this like white on rice if given half the chance. @@jasonkh4
In fact, *_Joker_* was the first R-rated film to gross over $1 billion.
The chaotic scene at the end when he's freed by his supporters looks a bit like San Francisco and NYC at the moment...
It's been implied that Joker knows he's a fictional character and plays his role to the hilt for the audience. It's also why he thinks his reality is a joke and nobody else gets it but him.
Yep. Joker is often written with “super sanity” meaning hes one of the few people who understands they’re just comic characters
Until this movie I never thought of joker as a tragic figure but for sure after this
I'm glad you put this in a comment, I really liked it in the chat.
You could say that about any villain, though. Every villain backstory ever conceived has some tragic element to it because villains don't come from healthy, stable backgrounds. At least, not in fiction, anyway.
@@kevinlewallen4778I am glad that I decided repost my comment
I already know this movie will blow you away. Even before the reaction.
Helluva acting job by Joaquin.
It was a richly deserved Oscar win considering how much of his performance was improvised. the dancing in the bathroom, punching the time clock, climbing into the fridge among other things
So glad you checked this out. Yeah, in a lot of pop culture the limited time restraints tend to gloss over the deep character stuff in favor of plot and action. But a great thing about Batman's Rogues are that they all represent serious psychological problems that possibly could have been helped in a better culture that valued people and mental health.
Having grown up in the New York area in the 70s/80s, they absolutely NAILED the vibe. A lot was filmed in Newark New Jersey.
Was it sure ?
*_Joker_* was filmed in the *Bronx,* *Brooklyn,* *Manhattan,* *Jersey City,* and *Newark.*
@@VinMar-m6w no studio or set
He's not twisted. He's a representation of what most want to do but can't.
11:10 Madness? His behaviour is absolutely sane.
This movie blew me away. I saw it for the first time yesterday and can't believe how awesome it was. An incredible piece of cinema.
This movie’s a masterpiece. To think that it’s the same man (Todd Phillips) that made The Hangover movies is just wild. Cause that’s such a leap & a huge difference in 2 entirely different type of movies. Props to Phillips for creating a timeless masterpiece. I’ve watched this movie at least 7 times. Only seen the hangover movies once & was not the biggest fan. Joker is one of my favorite dc movies ever.
It's good but it's a blatant ripoff of two better Scorsese movies.
@@TheDemonicPenguin not a ripoff. An homage. Entirely different films though
This movie is amazing
I’m.. blown away everytime I see it 🔥
Joaquin Phoenix deserved his Oscar for the Joker. He took the character and ran with it. The character was creepy yet you almost sympathize with him. It is a great movie to watch after a long day.
This was one of the absolute best modern comic book films I've ever seen in a theater. Joaquin Phoenix absolutely crushed this role. It was like a combination of Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger all together. I also loved how it was the Joker who was the one responsible for the deaths of the Waynes reminiscent of Batman 1989. Little fun fact, Arthur's boss who fires him is the voice of Raphael from the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.
Good reaction to what really is a very different comic book movie. It does touch upon so many things that affect so many mentally ill, or even just disillusioned people. You can see the similarities to Taxi Driver, which is a Scorsese masterpiece with DeNiro. However, this film directly references Scorsese's The King of Comedy (with DeNiro also, in the main role that ironically parallels Phoenix's in Joker) in so many of the scenes. Both great films worthy of a reaction.
My Friend @ShreeNation recently Reacted to "The King of Comedy" and She was blown away by it!👌
Jen, how is it you manage, in your reactions, to articulate my own? Must be a Vulcan mind meld. Or maybe you're just the best, Jen!
There is one constant here that is considered canon to the character. As stated in "The Killing Joke" - The Joker prefers his origin to be multiple choice.
"Joker" is a disturbing masterpiece with brilliant writing and acting. There are many nuanced layers, analogies, symbolic metaphors, and Easter eggs that yield far too much discussion to be had in the comment section. Most of all, there were questions. What was real, and what was in Joker's head?
Arthur Fleck was a kind, little man trapped in a dangerous society - forced to beg that society to help him "open the door to salvation". - (Easter egg: A. Fleck = Affleck - referencing Ben Affleck's Batman)
Arthur saw himself in Gary (the kind little man) trapped in the apartment with him. The little man was forced to beg Arthur (the dangerous killer) for help. Society wouldn't open the door to help Arthur, but at least Arthur could open the door for Gary.
*"What if Thomas Wayne arranged to cover up his embarrassing affair?"* He had the power and the means. If so then Thomas had 2 mentally ill children with opposite behaviors. Arthur as an agent of crime & chaos with uncontrollable laughter. And Bruce, the somber boy - an agent of law & order with PTSD who could not smile. Whether true or illusion, it explains Joker's "obsessive bond" with Batman.
- *Was Arthur locked in Arkham Asylum the entire time imagining everything?* At the end, he stood on the police car smearing a bloody smile on his face as he was accepted by the violent anarchy. If this were imagined - Reality would shatter this illusion the Joker had of acceptance.
Was reality only at the end with the Psychologist Session? If she could pull him into reality he would lose the illusion where he was accepted.
The 'joke' Arthur mentioned the Psychologist wouldn't get: He recognized she was trying to help him. This made her a threat to his illusions of finally being accepted. Therefore Arthur "The Joker" Fleck needed to murder the only person he ever met that was trying to help him.
The Joker is not actually a singular character- there have been many Jokers. Joker is sort of a archetype that emerges as result of society.
Pseudo Bulbar Affect is the condition Arthur is suffering from. 5:20
you got it!
I'm an MD, I have seen 1 Alzheimer patient at my hospital with it
(I'm a paediatrician though)
It's very loosely based from Joker's origin story in "The Killing Joke" comic. He's a struggling comedian, had a pregnant wife (who perished) and was forced to join a mob heist in Axis Chemicals, causing him to fall into a stream of toxic waste, and the rest is history.
Arthur's "laughing sickness" is real, it's called Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) with sudden bursts of crying, laughing or anger out of nowhere. You did notice that scene from the medical file from the child abuse that caused the brain damage.
The way Arthur says "Murray" is how I always think of Jen's last name. I've been waiting for this one.
This movie is all about the sound design. The most brilliant use of which is when Arthur is in Sophie’s apartment and the music builds to a stifling crescendo and then just stops. I was in the theater thinking, “What the hell just happened?” And then they reveal that she didn’t know who he was beyond his name and that he lived down the hall with his mother. That was mind blowing, and amazing use of sound in film. So good. Also, I haven’t read all of the comments because there are too many but this movie is highly derivative of Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” and “The King of comedy.”
This movie gives you chills. A masterpiece. The composer is the same as from Chernobyl tv show, Hildur Guðnadóttir.
Life is never just black and white and villains are never two dimensional. IMO, this is the best version of the Batman cannon. On every level, this film is great. Joaquin's acting is superb, right up there with Heath Ledger.
A reminder that there are still breathtakingly excellent movies being and still to be made. One of the best films I have seen.
Hey Jen, you asked for someone to help Authur Fleck. In the end he helps himself. In the most gruesome darkest way. Great reaction Jen. This might have been you're best yet.
Joaquin Phoenix and Heath Ledger both won Oscars for their portrayal of the Joker character. They were the second pair of actors to win Oscars for portraying the same character joining Marlon Brando and Robert DeNiro for playing Vito Corleone in the Godfather movies. A couple of years ago Ariana DuBose won for playing Anita in the remake of West Side Story. Rita Moreno won an Oscar for playing the same role in the original.
The score was actually created BEFORE Filming even started. Hildur Guðnadóttir (the composer) made it purely by reading the script
A brilliant movie about the tragedy of trauma and the consequences of an uncaring system. Phoenix is amazing, inspiring empathy, pity, and fear.
Expecting many shocked and worried looks behind Jen's Serious Girl Spectacles on this one.
What’s tragic is a little human kindness would have completely changed his outcome. 😢
"King of Comedy" is the movie you are talking about that influenced this one.
Hi Jen hope you are having an great and awesome day ❤
Thanks John you too :)
An absolutely amazing film, has to be up there as one of the greats. One of the best performances ive ever scene by an actor
13:08 It's Joe Chill, a low level street thug, who kills the Waynes in most of the comics. Although that changes sometimes.
Thank you Jenn for doing a reaction to this movie. I saw this the first week it came out in theaters and loved it. Joaquin Phoenix earned his Oscar Award for his performance as The JOKER. 🃏🤡
God I remember when this movie came out. I saw it in theatre I got chills in some of the more iconic scenes.
Yes, the movie that makes you sympathetic towards a psychopath and makes you ponder the question "should...should I be rooting for this guy?...because I worryingly am."
In most versions the murderer of Batman's parents is Joe Chill. In the 1989 movie it was Jack Napier who would become the Joker.
This film , is a character study of complete and utter systemic failure , from being left with his abusive/crazy mother , up till the social worker who is completely disinterested , and a then add-on top of a city that is falling apart, and the film illustrates how people just fall through the cracks when nobody cares .
I'm not so sure the social worker wouldn't care. It seems more like she's powerless to help him.
We very briefly hear the song "My Name is Carnival" by Jackson C. Frank.
Frank recorded one album of folk music in 1965 which was produced by Paul Simon.
Frank had a life long problem with mental illness beginning in childhood when an explosion at his elementary school killed several of his classmates while he sustained burns to 50% of his body.
His mental illness descended further with the death of one of his children. He was also shot in eye with a pellet gun while sitting on a bench.
Jackson C. Frank died in 1999 at the age of 56. He lived a haunted life but he left the world some beautiful music. R.I.P.
Hey Jen. Your reaction to 'JOKER" was so impressive ------ You're emotional intelligence was off the charts on this one. ------ Also, you are so emotionally and psychologically in tune, that made the reaction become top level. ------- It's such a Top-level reaction in my opinion. ------- Watching you analyze the subject matter of the movie on the fly was very impressive with Aurthur's decent into madness. ------- Keep up the awesome work.
Thank you!! Really appreciate that and the kind words you always give :)
That's why you are my all time favorite RUclipsr.
Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy had a child and it was this film.
As someone who suffers with mental illness, this is a raw look at how the mental ill are treated in our society. Great film and great reaction.
As far as how this fits into lore, you kinda have to take each continuity of a comic-based movie as its own universe, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Like how Tim Burton's Batman and Joker have nothing to do with Nolan's Batman and Joker
Like I think there's comic continuities this background could possibly be in, but I'm not familiar enough to know which is which. But like, there's a continuity where Thomas Wayne becomes batman, Martha becomes the Joker, and Bruce is who dies that night
looking forward to chilling in the live chat even if its kinda late , no worries i have matchsticks lol this was disturbing and dark but as always a great outro and a top reaction :)
I liked it a lot in the movie theater but I never felt the need to rewatch. It was a lot.
I felt very sad when watching this Joker movie, I had empathy and misery. Very good movie.
still blows my mind that the guy behind the hangover movies made this.
All I can say is that it’s a masterpiece. Glad you saw this
Something that heroes and villains have in common in the comics. Usually they both have tragic beginnings.
This movie also explains why Joker always has followers. They think they are part of a movement.
and they are.
I still feel bad for him.
This should of got a best picture Oscar
Another great video Jen. Keep it up! I love your work.
I read that this was influenced by two Scorsese films: The King of Comedy; and (I think?) Taxi Driver (both starring De Niro; which is one of the reasons why he was in this).
I was stuck during a typhoon in Japan and this was the only english dubbed movie in the theater. Didn't know anything about the movie or the batman lore except that the Joker was a villian.
Oh my how was I suprised, moved and swept by this film, to my opinion the best of 2019 along with Parasites.
I believe this year (although I may be wrong as I'm a bit behind on my Batman comics, but working on it!) that DC finally made "Batman: The Killing Joke" Jokers canon and therefor Jokers official origin story. Batman: The Killing Joke was written by Alan Moore, who created V For Vendetta, the film adaptation you reacted to not long ago. The story told in this movie is its own thing.
Scorsese’s Taxi Driver is this film’s main influence and it’s arguably Scorsese’s best film.
I feel like Arthur has the sad fate of not being allowed to be happy. For him to be happy, and confident, and enjoy life, he has to completely let go and become unhinged. Killing gives him confidence, power, but not in a normal "super villain way". But like someone who lives their whole life in torment, on constant medications, and this power only brings him up to "normal" levels.
Arthur is cursed to either live a life of pain to keep society around him safe from his actions, or let go to enjoy life the way he likes to do it...killing and chaos.
I'm not even convinced he likes the killing and chaos. I think it's more like he stopped caring about the rules, because despite him doing his best the only thing he got out of it was negative interactions and pain. I'm not sure being Joker makes him happy. It just makes him not unhappy.
hmmm i don't remember those last scenes; the police talking to him, the robber telling Bruce's dad something or how they actually died. neither I recall the joker singing at the end. this was added after? I really don't remember those scenes.
Great reaction!, I definitely enjoyed you feeling the suspense this movie make us all feel the first time we saw it. A truly master piece, a rare gem this days.
I don't give them easily but this movie is a 10/10 for me. Its perfect in every way and Phoenix has got everything to do with it. DC can go really deep. Especially the moment he reads his dossier in the stairwell, when his laughter is clearly a cry, a wail. thats a good actor, that is a great actor.
He only laughs when he is nervous, uncomfortable. This movie, u really feel sympathy for Author. He just keeps getting knocked down, emotionally and physically. Till, the event on the train incident, he snapped. He was just a product of his environment.U see, this is an elsewhere story. Not connected to anything u have watched before. He never wanted to hurt anyone. He only killed people that deserved it.
Hey Jen. The Scorseese movie you are referring to as inspiration for "Joker" comes from "Taxi Driver". That is a must watch as well.
Hey Jen, you break down many times in both parts of this Joker reaction. -------- The two that stand out to me are when Authur shoots the men on the train and when you find out that his GF is not really in a relationship with him. ---------- My God to see your face is next-level pain and empathy. You are one of the best for sure.