"Joker" went to this year's Academy Awards as a big favorite with eleven nominations. The film won two trophies for the best leading actor and the best film music. Actor Joaquin Phoenix (45, "Walk the Line") convinced as Arthur Fleck across the board and rightly won not only the Oscar, but also the Golden Globe and the BAFTA for his strong performance. Those who missed "Joker" in the cinema can now bring the work of director Todd Phillips (49, "Hangover") home on DVD and Blu-ray.
Alternative recordings with Joaquin Phoenix
"Joker" is not for the faint of heart, however. The violence comes abruptly, suddenly and does nothing to gloss over anything. Todd Phillips shows the origin story of Batman's worst adversary in dark clothes. The highlight of the film is undisputedly the leading actor Joaquin Phoenix. Perhaps no other actor than him would have been able to do such an emotional tightrope act.
His wild card is exhausting, plagued by various demons. He is pathetic, a tearful mother's son and yes, also pitiful. At least until he discovers violence as his form of protest. But he is never one thing: cool. In virtually no situation in the film, he has control over what is happening, not even over his own body. He laughs uncontrollably in subways or buses, almost suffocates on his Tourette-like tick. Phoenix plays two people at the same time, trapped in the same miserably emaciated body.
How did he do it? On the Blu-ray, for example, interested parties can take a look behind the scenes. In the making-of during the filming there are, among other things, alternative recordings with Joaquin Phoenix and costume tests. With or without additional material, "Joker" resonates for a long time.