Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Catherine Keener, and Harry Lawtey
Directed by Todd Phillips
Music and Lyrics by various
We leap into rougher territory this week with a mystery and a psychological thriller that explore the darker side of the traditional musical. Joker, with Phoenix as a failed stand-up comedian-turned killer, was not the first movie you'd associate with musical numbers. In fact, DC originally intended it to be a stand-alone movie, though there was talk of it launching a "DC Black" series. Director Phillips was the one who thought there was more to the story and brought in Gaga as Joker Arthur Fleck's love interest and added the dance routines in their heads. Was he right that there's more to Fleck's story, or should he have let sleeping clowns lie? Let's begin in Looney Tunes-style animation as Fleck (Phoenix) tries desperately to avoid his nefarious shadow and find out...
The Story: Fleck first encounters Harleen "Lee" Quinznel (Gaga) in the choir room at Arkham Asylum. They're attracted to each other at the start, despite Harleen lying to him about her home life and where she comes from. Arthur has more problems than her obsession with him, though. His lawyer Maryanne Stewart (Keener) wants to argue that he's mentally unstable and created the Joker personality to cope with his abusive childhood. Lee insists that he IS the Joker, and so does devious district attorney Harvey Dent (Lawtey).
The media hype and clown-masked fandom surrounding Arthur's trial is so intense, it's one of the first to be broadcast live. Under Lee's influence, Arthur briefly reverts to his Joker persona, leading a revolt at Arkham and firing Maryanne. The guards at Arkham, however, are not amused. Their damaging attack makes Arthur wonder if Lee really wants to build a mountain with him...or only wants to be entertained by the Joker.
The Song and Dance: And that and the genuinely cool opening cartoon sequence are the highlights here, along with Lady Gaga and Phoenix's intense performances as the troubled pair in question. The lounge acts and R&B songs parody both the cheesy scarlet and gold variety aesthetic of the movie's 70's-early 80's setting and the cheerier numbers from 50's and 60's musicals like The Band Wagon (which is seen twice, including when Lee sets Arkham on fire) and Sweet Charity. The terrific period-appropriate costumes add a much-needed shot of color to the depressing gray sets and dark score.
The Numbers: We open with a medley of "Slap That Bass," "Get Happy," and "What the World Needs Now" in the cartoon sequence as the Joker tries to dodge and fights with his shadow, who ultimately takes over his act. Our first number proper is "For Once In My Life," as Arthur revels in Lee's attention to him. They perform "Get Happy" with the choir after he's declared sane enough to join. Lee is thrilled as they dance for the first time, literal sparks coming from the fire as she crows "If My Friends Could See Me Now." Lee also gets Lady Gaga's own "Foile et Deux," written directly for the film and performed during the sequence when Arthur imagines them dancing in the moonlight Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers style, with him in his Joker costume.
Arthur goes into the Rogers and Hart standard "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" during a talk show interview to explain his feelings for Lee. Lee sings "That's Entertainment" twice, the first time after the show. "When the Saints Go Marching In" is heard three times, notably as Arthur leads his revolt in the cafeteria, dancing on tables. Arthur sings the standard "When You're Smiling" on his way to the trial, revealing how happy he is with Lee. They do the R&B standard "To Love Somebody" on a stage surrounded by musicians, with her in ruffled early 70's garb and him in his Joker outfit...until she shoots him in the gut.
She sings "Close to You" when she comes to see him at Arkham; he joins in, but it doesn't seem to reach his eyes like before. He laments being "The Joker" in a shadowy night club act parody. They're "Gonna Build a Mountain" in a huge variety act that includes her on the piano while he tap-dances in his big clown shoes for the crowd. Lee and his follower at Arkham claim "I've Got the World On a String" after Arthur fires his lawyer and returns to his Joker persona. "If You Go Away" is Joker's song after he's attacked and he's decided who he really is. "That's Life" is heard twice, earlier in a montage at Arkham performed by Frank Sinatra, and near the end by Lee. Arthur finishes with "True Love Will Find You In the End."
What I Don't Like: For a flashy musical inspired by cheesy variety shows, this is one depressing as heck movie. Lee and Arthur's colorful fantasies and the terrific music aren't enough to offset the dull sets and relentlessly grim outlook. The ending isn't much fun, either. Though I do appreciate that Lee and Arthur's relationship isn't as abusive as it tends to be elsewhere, I also fully agree with Lee and think Arthur should not have renounced his Joker persona. It doesn't suit the character or, from what I gathered, the first film.
In fact, I haven't seen the first movie, but apparently a lot was changed between films, including some plot threads there that aren't picked up here. There's also the fact that, despite being second-billed, Lady Gaga simply doesn't have quite as much to do as Phoenix, and the movie runs way beyond too long and should have left some of those numbers on the cutting room floor.
The Big Finale: There's a reason this is flopping big-time right now. Good numbers aren't enough to offset the grim plot, obnoxious characters, and a movie that is as confused about its identity as Arthur is. For major fans of Lady Gaga or DC Comics only. Everyone else can look for the soundtrack or Lady Gaga's album "inspired" by this film, Harlequin.
Home Media: It's currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com.
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