'Joker' Gives a Chilling Portrayal of Mental Illness
Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Joker’ (Photo Credit: Warner Bros. )
By Keisha Paul
A gripping psychological thriller, “Joker” is a must-see for the uninitiated, as much as for DC fans who will appreciate the effort put into the eccentric portrayal of the Joker as a known villain in the DC universe. Other fans may find the portrayal of psychological imbalance intriguing, and possibly relatable.
The film was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Films, and Joint Effort. It was written by Todd Phillips, known for “Old School” and “The Hangover;” and Scott Silver, known for “8 Mile” and “The Fighter.” The iconic movie is on track to become one of the most profitable superhero movies in history, according to Variety. It surpassed gross estimates of approximately $90 million during its opening weekend in North America on Oct. 4, later becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of 2019 with a total of $849.1 million recorded worldwide.
Through the main character, Arthur Fleck, it explores the circumstances and living conditions of the Joker who would someday become Batman’s most well-known nemesis. Set in Gotham City in 1981, the film grants audiences a glimpse into how traumatic life events can cause and worsen mental illness. A failed stand-up comedian, Fleck lives with his aged mother in poverty in a high-crime area. He also suffers from an uncontrollable nervous system disorder that causes him to laugh during inappropriate situations. Despite his troubles, he continues to write jokes, take care of his mother and see a therapist to try to overcome his issues.
However, multiple incidents make him bitter and angry, bringing him to his breaking point. At the beginning of the movie, he is attacked by a group of kids while advertising for an entertainment company. The kids steal his sign and beat him with it. When his boss scolds him for not returning the sign and abandoning his shift, he tries to explain what happened but to no avail. His boss demands that he either gives the sign back or pay for it out of his paycheck.
On his way home, Fleck witnesses three guys harassing a woman on the train. He tries to ignore it, but due to his disorder, he laughs uncontrollably. Subsequently, the men turn their attention towards him and beat him violently. In what is considered the key turning point of the film, Fleck commits his first offense and feels liberated because of it.
Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Joker’ (Photo Credit: Warner Bros. )
Fleck’s transformation is a thrilling experience to watch as his suppressed feelings of wanting to retaliate towards his offenders are finally released. In this eerie scene, the music and Fleck’s dancing show the dark path Fleck has descended upon.
Understanding the Joker and his motives is difficult when there are no known reasons for his behavior. The film gives us the background story that we’ve all been missing, and seeing it in the theater makes the experience more exciting with the amplified sound system. Throughout the plot, the music paired with the Joker’s unique dance routine plays a key role in the tone of the movie.
What stands out the most is the effort put into Fleck’s physical appearance. He was really skinny, which shows that not only was he physically deprived because of his poor economic status, but he was also emotionally deprived of healthy relationships throughout his life. Arthur’s mental disorder and reliance on social services and medication are issues that many impoverished people face today. Overall, the movie is worth seeing as viewers finally understand how Arthur Fleck becomes the Joker.
"Toy Story 4" Hits Close to Home
Official Poster for “Toy Story 4.” (Photo Credit: Disney/Pixar)
By Keisha Paul
Pixar released the latest installment of the “Toy Story” series on June 11,2019. Based on a screenplay by Andrew Stanton, the film acts as a continuation of “Toy Story 3.”It was directed by Josh Cooley, known for movies, such as “Up,” “The Incredibles,” and “Inside Out.” Cooley told Los Angeles Times in an interview that a fifth “Toy Story”movie has not been discussed yet.
The movie serves as a heartwarming reminder that support from strangers or friends can make anyone feel more comfortable in unpleasant situations. It picks up where “Toy Story 3” left off, when Andy, now 17 and moving away for college, decides to give his toys away to a new character named Bonnie. As “Toy Story 4” begins, it becomes clear that 5-year-old Bonnie plays with most of her toys and not Woody, who waits for Bonnie to play with him again, while other neglected toys comfort him.
This sets the stage for the movie’s recurring theme of self-reflection, acceptance and inner growth. Forced to realize that he’s no longer the favorite toy, Woody makes it his new purpose to make Bonnie happy by convincing her new toy to stay with them. As the plot unfolds, Woody becomes a guide and helper to Bonnie and other toys new and old.
Other scenes show characters like Little Bo Peep, Buzz Lightyear and a new character, Gabby Gabby, undergoing their own self-discovery and helping each other along the way. Little Bo Peep was given away to an antique shop in previous episodes, and had to learn how to live away fromWoody, who she now runs into after escaping the shop. Despite enjoying her new life as a lost toy, seeing Woody again brought up sad memories about their separation. However, she refuses Woody’s proposal of living together again and continues to travel the city on her own.
Meanwhile, Buzz Lightyear(who unlike Little Bo Peep, stayedwith Woody), didn’t understand what having an inner voice entailed. In challenging situations, he would press his talk button and follow what it said as if it was his own voice. By doing that, he discovered his real inner voiceand trusted it as a guide to making good decisions.
Gabby Gabby, on the other hand, dreams of taking Woody’s voice box and using it to finally be adopted. Thrown away by the shop keeper’s daughter, she is heartbroken, but ultimately finds a loving home with a girl who lost her parents.
Anyone who has ever felt lost or lonely can relate to the struggles that these toys face.