Joker Review

“What do you get when you cross a mentally ill loner with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash?” (Joker, Phoenix). Starring Joaquin Phoenix, "Joker" is a box office success and has been impactful on modern society. The film is centered around the archnemesis of the DC hero Batman, who one may believe they will see more of on the big screen. Although, this is not your typical superhero/supervillain movie. A word of caution, because many spoilers lie ahead, in addition to powerful quotes listed at the end!The movie opens with Arthur Fleck, the Joker, getting ready for his day job as a clown. He goes to one of the gigs he is hired for, advertising with a sign on the streets of Gotham City. Arthur is then jumped by a group of teens, and is continuously mistreated as he lays in the middle of an alleyway. This scene itself was very powerful and begins to show how the Joker is treated unfairly by the people around him; even strangers. This is a continuous trend throughout the movie: exhibiting how unfair life is for many.  It is then revealed that Arthur has a mental illness that causes him to laugh despite how he really feels due to a neurological disorder caused by brain trauma . Therefore, many people are offended by something he cannot control. The most impactful moment throughout the movie is when Arthur is fired from the job he loves so much, when he is not entirely at fault, for he had been framed by a fellow coworker. As he goes home on the subway, three men who work on Wall Street begin to attack and harass Arthur. Because of this, he defends himself with a gun, eventually killing the three men. This causes a citywide movement, all inspired by Arthur. He is not found by the police, and therefore hides in plain sight, watching everyone’s reactions to the event: “For my whole life, I didn't know if I even really existed. But I do, and people are starting to notice” (Joker, Phoenix). Gotham City splits into those who believe that the rich need to be taught a lesson and those who believe that the men did not deserve what was coming to them. Because this was for self-defense, many tend to take the side of the killer.  Arthur grew up without his father, and is led by his mother to believe that his father is Thomas Wayne (Bruce/Batman’s father). Arthur follows Thomas Wayne and claims to be his son. As Wayne feels harassed by this adult man, he tells Arthur that he is adopted, which was information withheld from him by his own mother. Arthur investigates and finds out that he was beaten severely by his mother’s boyfriend as a child, while his mother simply watched. A report states that his mother was admitted to Arkham Asylum in the past, and that her adopted son (Arthur) had suffered major head trauma.Arthur has a realization and says, “I haven’t been happy for one minute of my entire f*****g life” (Joker, Phoenix). Therefore, he snaps, committing multiple homicides, including one of his own mother. From anyone else’s perspective, due to the lack of context, this makes Arthur Fleck look completely inhumane and even considered a “monster”. This proves how everything has a backstory and a reason that many can relate to on different levels. Joker shows how “villains” are seen by society, no matter how unfair life seems to be to them and to all of us at some point. Powerful quotes:“What do you get when you cross a mentally ill loner with a society that abandons him and treats him like trash? I’ll tell you what you get. You get what you f*****g deserve” (Joker, Phoenix).“Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?” (Joker, Phoenix)“All I have are negative thoughts” (Joker, Phoenix).“The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don't” (Joker, Phoenix).“I used to think that my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it's a comedy” (Joker, Phoenix).“I hope my death makes more cents than my life” (Joker, Phoenix).“You think men like Thomas Wayne ever think what it's like to be someone like me? To be somebody but themselves? They don't. They think that we'll just sit there and take it, like good little boys!” (Joker, Phoenix).