By Melissa Antoinette Garza
There’s only one thing I hate more than whiny, little bitches and that’s whiny, little, hype bitches. You know who you are. You’re the cats crying about Joker (2019) before you’ve seen it and are secretly praying someone does something stupid so you can say “I told you so.” You’re the dick-wads claiming that the film is applauding incels when in reality it is a straight-up condemnation of those angry, horny fools. Just watch the movie and shut the fuck up. Also, thank you!
As someone who actually saw it, let me tell you that Joker (2019) was brilliant. It was amazing, insane and had a 70’s grit that has been sorely missed from modern mainstream movies.
The introduction to mentally-ill Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) showcases the bullshit that is going on in the mean streets of Gotham. Arthur lives in a shitty-ass apartment with his elderly mom Penny (Frances Conroy) and is constantly harassed and abused by the public, his boss and pretty much everyone else. He attempts to work as a clown while studying to be a comic. He gets a gig standing outside with a sign for a store, but teenage, street-trash steal it and beat the shit out of him.
Arthur to his credit does everything he is supposed to. He goes to therapy, is polite to everyone and takes care of his mother. Sadly, the therapist doesn’t truly listen to Arthur’s ailments and instead just loads him up on 7 different meds. Been there – done that! Fucking doctors, man! Then, Gotham cuts out public funding and social service programs which makes it impossible for Arthur to continue with counseling or get his meds. Been there – done that, too. Fucking fat cats, man!
And that’s the real fucking villain of this flick. It’s the fat cats! It’s motherfucking Thomas Wayne (Brett Cullen). Tommy-boy hangs out in high society and lives behind a closed gate, while the rest of the peeps fight for scraps. He’s a pompous, pretentious, heartless and cruel shithead. Penny doesn’t see it that way though. Penny worked for the Wayne family years prior and believes Wayne could be the mayor Gotham needs. She believes him to be a good man, but she’s wrong. Arthur doesn’t have the same faith, and soon he comes face-to-face with three peeps who work for Wayne Enterprises.
On a subway, Arthur sees these young, rich pricks sexually harass this woman. Now, this is the representation of incel idiots that JOKER (2019) offers and it is not a flattering one. They believe they are entitled to the fem’s attention and throw fries at her when she doesn’t reciprocate their drunk flirtation.
Arthur laughs nervously and subsequently saves the woman from whatever horrible sexual assault was awaiting. The scumbags turn their attention to Arthur and beat the living shit out of him, but there’s one thing these pricks don’t know. This madman has a gun! Get them, Mister J!!!! Mmmmh, damn do I love my Clown Prince, but I am getting ahead of myself. He’s not there yet.
Still, the combination of him killing those bitches, losing his meds and being abused on the daily takes its toll. When his idol, late-night talk show host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro) takes some jabs at his stand-up routine, Arthur has had enough. There’s some other insane stuff thrown at him too, but I’m not going to reveal those spoilers. Needless to say, he’s a man pushed over the edge. He can’t take it anymore and if ever there was a sympathetic villain, Arthur Fleck is that man. In fact, dare I say he’s actually a hero? He’s my hero. Imma love him. Fuck Murray Franklin!
Murray invites Arthur on the show so that he can poke fun at him in person. Arthur accepts the invitation, but has some big plans. Meanwhile, the police are investigating him for the subway murders and the people of Gotham are rallying behind this unknown clown, who they see as the leader to the movement they are starting.
How I love the people rallying around the Joker. It’s chaos with purpose and that’s the best kind of chaos. I’d totes be out there with a clown mask – or maybe I’d be dressed like Harley Quinn. Oh like you other fems wouldn’t. Shut the fuck up. You’re just as crazy as I am – well maybe not as. That said, Joaquin looks fan-fucking-tastic. Damn, do I love a man who knows how to wear makeup. RAWR RAWR
Joaquin’s outwardly appearance wasn’t all that shined. He sold every single scene and owned the role. His dedication and absorption into Arthur Fleck allowed the audience not only to suspend disbelief, but to remain sympathetic with Arthur throughout.
Every cast member did stellar. Zazie Beetz who portrays Sophie, Arthur’s love interest, is wonderful in the role. Beetz helped give a window into what Fleck needed more than anything. He needed a support system and someone to treat him like a person. Though complicated in a heady sort of way, Sophie’s presence in the film gives a window into J’s mind.
On the opposite side is Frances Conroy who as Arthur’s mom, helped paint the picture as to how he became the man we see. Conroy’s ability to convey Penny’s demons and mental illness expertly explained her son’s troubles and eventual evolution into the Joker. Rather than the nature or nurture debate we typically see, the answer (as is nearly always) is nature and nurture.
In the end, JOKER is deserving of all the praise and none of the scorn. Some DC purists will be irritated with the angle, but calm the fuck down. There’s a comic universe where The Joker is hanging with Daffy Duck so this incarnation isn’t hurting anything. It is its own thing entirely. Yes, we get an origin story for the clown prince of crime, but it isn’t the origin of Heath Ledger’s performance or any other for that matter. It’s an alternative take so put on your big-boy pants and deal with it.
The Joker is my favorite character. I have a tattoo of the animated version on my arm. I’m a really dedicated fan. My entire bedroom is filled with action figures, posters, collectibles, etc. One of my first crushes was on Cesar Romero when watching the OG series. I loved him so much I broke into my mom’s Avon kits to put makeup on my dolls so I could say I had the Joker’s children. My mom wasn’t happy. I was thrilled! “Real men wear makeup” is a phrase I grew up saying and I still fucking believe it. RAWR RAWR RAWR
My point is that you can’t find a bigger fan than me. Every incarnation, I’m in like Flynn. People put down Jared Leto’s performance –fuck them, I loved it! My least favorite Joker is Jack Nicholson’s and he’s still great. He was just doing more Jack than J, but I love the antics he pulled in BATMAN (1989). The Joker is many many things, but he’s always fabulous.
So everyone take a deep breath and enjoy this for what it is. It’s a new take on a beloved character and it is done perfectly. At the end of the movie, everyone clapped.
My best friend, her sis and I all loved it, and we are the three cats with the greatest taste in the universe. You should listen to us. We like cool shit.
In conclusion, I’m awesome, my best friend is awesome, her sister is awesome and JOKER is awesome. Also, Imma RAWR RAWR RAWR Mister J all night!
Scared Stiff Rating: 10/10
RAWR RAWR RAWR rating: 10/10
