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                  Movie Review

                       'Joker'

Genre:Crime, Thriller

Director:Todd Phillips

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy 

This is the origin story of DC Comic universe’s supervillain, the 'Joker'. The movie attempts to show how under unfortunate circumstances, any sane person can turn into an unhinged psychopath.Set in the early ’80s in Gotham city.'Joker' follows the life of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a happy soul who is considered a freak because of a health condition that makes him laugh involuntarily. Sharing a rundown apartment with his ailing mom (Frances Conroy), Arthur struggles to make money as a parttime clown.

Despite his given condition and inspired by his late-night television show idol, Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro), Arthur aspires to be a stand-up comedian. But clearly fate has other plans for him. With every new turn of events, Arthur’s life starts to spiral out of control, and he develops an unhinged alter ego.

The two-hour narrative of a deeply disturbed and damaged man is edgy and keeps you glued to the screen. Accompanying the visuals is an amazing sound design, Hildur Gudnadottir’s soulful background score and powerful music pieces.

Phillips, known for frat house comedies including the Hangover trilogy and 'Road Trip', set the film in the 1980s as a nod to the brooding cinematic character studies of the time, like 'Taxi Driver' and 'The King of Comedy'.

Phoenix gives a power-packed performance. In this one-man show, he manages to portray Arthur Fleck’s gradual descent into madness effortlessly. He ensures that you empathise with the character even as he clearly turns into a homicidal maniac. He is supported by stars like De Niro as the talk show host, Conroy as Arthur’s mother and Beetz as his love interest. Though these actors are in one-dimensional roles, they make their presence felt. Although disturbing and intense, 'Joker' is stirring and unnerving in equal measure.