I saw a movie that should win an Oscar

The movie is Joker. It stars Joaquin Phoenix as a man whose life heads downward after losing, or killing, everything he loves.

It is darkness.

It is loneliness and despair.

It is a film that immerses one entirely in a man's depressive spiral.

Looking back, I probably should have been drunk to see this film. For, it might have been less surreal an experience. Yet, I see Phoenix getting an Oscar nom for it - and a likely win. He lost 52 lbs for the role. And, the movie is all him - if there are others in a scene, they're only there because of his character.

My friends, if you see this film, please let me know your thoughts. I'd like to know how, or if, it impacted you.

Hunter

My daughter said essentially what you have said. I plan to go see it when the crowds go down.

I don't care for depressing films, so I probably won't see it...I've had enough of that in my own life...I can't even make myself watch Blackhawk Down again even if it is a fantastic movie...Too damn depressing...Thanks for the heads up, Hunter...:wah:...Ben

I have to ask since I don't know, is this a continuation of the Batman series?...:popcorn:...Ben

From what I read it's about the time leading up to him becoming the Joker...


"if there are others in a scene, they're only there because of his character."
I've read similar opinions..

I'm not a theater person so i'll see it when it comes out on red box....

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Originally Posted by Truckman

...is this a continuation of the Batman series?

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No. But, Batman's parents die in the film - which does kick-off part of Batman's history. We even see a young Bruce Wayne in two scenes.

Hunter

I have found that I cannot enjoy a movie, no matter how well made, if the protagonist is not someone for whom I root. For instance, people & critics were wild about Pulp Fiction, yet I detested it because I wanted everyone in it to die in pain. I had to leave early. The film was lauded so much, I watched it on TV because a wondered if I missed something. I hated the experience just as much again.

Joaquin Phoenix is a hugely talented actor - he should have won an Oscar for best supporting actor in Gladiator - but I will pass on this one. His interviews describing how the roll drove him crazier than he usually is did not incite me to want to see it. They definitely got the right guy to play the part, but putting a very troubled actor in that roll and him being a method actor to boot is a recipe for producer abuse.

Have you seen Walk the Line ?

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Originally Posted by Phillbo

Have you seen Walk the Line ?

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Yes, another terrific performance by Phoenix. He was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar that year, but did not win. It is not surprising he could embody Johnny Cash as that character crashed and burned before rising again. As I said, Phoenix is a wonderful actor but a very troubled individual reared by hippies. Stories about Phoenix seem to chronicle the actor spending way too much time off the deep end of mental instability. His younger brother may have been an even better actor but with similar mental issues which ultimately led to his death. It is my theory that many fine actors have heightened empathic abilities and responses that propel their abilities to embody other characters at the same time they feed self-destructive lives and impulses. There are too many examples to list here.

I hear you, Joe. And, I think you nailed it regarding Phoenix. It's expected we'll see more of him in pivotal roles soon.

Hunter