You can hardly call this a comic book film. It is a character piece about a poorly defined mental patient in a hateful city that was catapulted to the mainstream due to the cultural recognition of Batman villains.

        Nonetheless, Joaquin Phoenix is astounding as Arthur, and delivers a one of a kind performance. The narrative is driven by this brilliant take on the character, some shocking twists, and sparse but impactful action. Cinematography and score also appropriately boost the narrative and almost try to trick the audience into believing that this is an art-house film. I was very entertained because I wanted to see how the story would play out, and I was waiting on something shocking to happen (it did). 

      There is not much to the script, but what is there, especially in the third act, is average at best. Phoenix works through this lackluster script with ease, however, delivering his weak lines with strength.

        There is a lack of purpose in this film, stemming, I think, from the lack of originality. Todd Phillips borrows HEAVILY from Scorsese's superior films, Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. He even references specific scenes multiple times. Let it be known, I do not mind films that reference older films. If you don't believe me, read my Tarantino reviews. But, Phillips unabashedly uses the exact same plot points, themes, look, and feel. If anything, he can be praised for his ability to copy the aesthetic of another flick. He assumes that his viewers haven't seen those "old" films, and tries to twist what made those films memorable into his hybrid plot. 

       Some of this inspiration benefits the film, but most of it left me frustrated. The point of the story gets muddled behind the lack of motivation for the lead, who is by nature, impossible to understand. Joaquin is quoted in saying that he wanted to make a character that the audience cannot relate to, and this creates an interesting, but inaccessible lead. There is a dangerous, confused sense of morality that Phillips jumbles into the plot, but what was I expecting from a movie about the Joker? You cannot have an antagonist, really, besides the obvious and cliche--"society created him" background. Phillips spends little effort in creating a realistic society, or a realistic mental illness, so the clash of these two "characters" has very little momentum. It seemed like Phillips was using his main character to spew some kind of apolitical, political statement that completely fell flat in the final act. 

      All of this aside, there is a lot about this flick that was memorable. I will never forget that haunting laugh, some of the brutal murders, or the triumphant(?) climax. This film will be a point of discussion for years to come, but Phoenix's mastery of the character is undeniable.

6.5/10