Joker – Matthew Liedke on Film

The first “Joker” was a polarizing film, with strong opinions for and against it. The review on this site, though, came down in the middle. That’s pretty much the same case this time around.

“Joker: Folie à Deux” is set two years after the events of the first film. Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), whose actions resulted in riots and upheaval after his murders, is now confined to Akrham State Hospital as he waits for his trial to get underway.

Inside, the treatment toward Fleck ranges from admiration to amusement, from the prisoners and guards alike. One fellow inmate in another section, though, Lee (Lady Gaga), is infatuated, and begins a relationship that pushes Fleck even more toward his Joker persona as the trial gets started.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Song-filled ‘Joker’ sequel doesn’t hit high note”

In just over a decade there have been three different versions of the Joker on screen. Considering that rate, we’re due for several more in the 2020s. Yay?

The most recent film featuring the Clown Prince of Crime stars Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role. However, he doesn’t start out as the Joker. Instead, the movie opens with Phoenix playing Arthur Fleck, a troubled man working as an entertainment clown who aspires to be a stand-up comedian.

On top of being a mentally ill person who lives in a community comfortable with slashing health services, Arthur is also responsible for caring for his sick mother. One of the only bits of happiness in his life comes from watching a show featuring comedian Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro). Unfortunately, pressure Arthur experiences daily begins to crack him, setting him on a violent path.

Continue reading “REVIEW: While ‘Joker’ is an entertaining, it’s not insightful”