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Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Bill Camp, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Glenn Fleshler, Douglas Hodge, Marc Maron, Josh Pais, Shea Whigham
OUR RATING: ★★★★☆
Story:
Psychological thriller and based on the DC Comics character, directed and co-written by Todd Phillips. Joker (2019) follows Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a failed stand-up comedian who is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City.
Our Favorite Quotes:
'Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?' - Arthur Fleck (Joker) Click To Tweet 'I used to think that my life was a tragedy. But now I realize, it's a comedy.' - Arthur Fleck (Joker) Click To Tweet
Best Quotes
Arthur Fleck: Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?
Social Worker: It is certainly tense. People are upset, they’re struggling, looking for work. These are tough times. How about you? Have you been keeping up with your journal?
Arthur Fleck: Yes, ma’am.
Social Worker: Great. Did you bring it with you?
[Arthur smiles]
Social Worker: Arthur, last time I asked you to bring your journal for these appointments. Can I see it?
Arthur Fleck: [gets his journal and gives it to her] I’ve been using it as a journal, but also as a joke diary, if I have any thoughts or frustrations. I think I told you, I’m pursuing a career in standup comedy.
Social Worker: No, you didn’t.
Arthur Fleck: I think I did.
Social Worker: [reading from Arthur’s journal] “I just hope my death makes more cents than my life.”
Social Worker: How does it feel to have to come here? Does it help to have someone to talk to?
Arthur Fleck: I think I felt better when I was locked up in the hospital.
Arthur Fleck: I was wondering if you could ask the doctor to increase my medication.
Social Worker: Arthur, you’re on seven different medications. Surely they must be doing something.
Arthur Fleck: I just don’t want to feel so bad anymore.
Boy’s Mother: [to Arthur, who’s playing peekaboo with a young boy on the bus] Will you stop bothering my kid.
Arthur Fleck: I wasn’t bothering him. I was…
Boy’s Mother: [Arthur starts to laugh uncontrollably] Just stop! What, you think that’s funny?
Arthur Fleck: [ shakes his head as he continues to laugh uncontrollably]I’m sorry. I have a co…
[he hands her a card that explains that he has a condition that causes him to laugh]
[Arthur writes in his notebook] “The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don’t.”
Penny Fleck: [referring to Thomas Wayne] He’d make a great mayor. Everybody says so.
Arthur Fleck: Oh, yeah? Everybody, who? Who do you talk to?
Penny Fleck: Everybody on the news. He’s the only one who can save the city. He owes it to us.
Murray Franklin: [Arthur imagines himself being on Murray’s show] What’s your name?
Arthur Fleck: Hi, Murray. Arthur.
Murray Franklin: Arthur?
Arthur Fleck: My name’s Arthur.
Murray Franklin: Well, okay. Well, there’s something special about you, Arthur, I could tell. Where are you from?
Arthur Fleck: I live right here, in this city, with my mother.
Murray Franklin: [the audience laughs] Okay. Hold on. Hold on. There’s nothing funny about that. I lived with my mother before I made it. Just me and her. I’m that kid whose father went out for a pack of cigarettes, and he never came back.
Audience: Aw!
Arthur Fleck: I know what that’s like, Murray. I’ve been the man of the house for as long as I can remember. I take good care of my mother.
Murray Franklin: All that sacrifice, she must love you very much.
Arthur Fleck: She does. She always tells me to smile and put on a happy face. She says I was put here to spread joy and laughter.
Murray Franklin: I like that. I like that a lot. Come on down. Come on. For that, you got to come down.
[Arthur joyfully joins him on the stage as the audience claps for him]
Murray Franklin: [Arthur continues his fantasy of meeting Murray] That was great, Arthur. Thank you. I mean, I loved hearing what you had to say, it made my day.
Arthur Fleck: Thanks, Murray.
Murray Franklin: But, you know, this stuff, the lights, the show, the audience, all that stuff, I’d give it all up in a heartbeat to have a kid like you.
[Arthur smiles and hugs Murray lovingly]
Hoyt Vaughn: How’s the comedy career? Are you a famous standup yet?
Arthur Fleck: Not quite. I’ve just been working on my material.
Hoyt Vaughn: No, don’t sit. This will be quick. Look, I like you, Arthur. You know, a lot of the guys, they think you’re a freak, but I like you. I don’t even know why I like you, but I got another complaint. It’s starting to piss me off. Kenny’s Music, the guy said you disappeared. Never even returned his sign.
Arthur Fleck: Because I got jumped. Didn’t you hear?
Hoyt Vaughn: For a sign? That’s bulls**t. It doesn’t even make sense. Just give him the sign back. He’s going out of business, for God’s sake, Arthur.
Arthur Fleck: Why would I keep that sign?
Hoyt Vaughn: How the f*** do I know? Why does anybody do anything? If you don’t return the sign, I got to take it out of your paycheck. Are we clear?
[Arthur just stares at him with a smile]
Arthur Fleck: I don’t want you to worry about money, mom. I mean, everybody’s telling me that my standup’s ready for the big clubs.
Penny Fleck: But what makes you think you could do that?
Arthur Fleck: What do you mean?
Penny Fleck: I mean, don’t you have to be funny to be a comedian?
Sophie Dumond: Hey. Where you following me today?
Arthur Fleck: Yeah.
Sophie Dumond: I thought that was you. I was hoping you’d come in to rob the place.
Arthur Fleck: I have a gun. I can come by tomorrow.
Sophie Dumond: You’re so funny, Arthur.
Arthur Fleck: Yeah. Did you know, I do standup comedy? You should maybe come and see a show sometime.
Sophie Dumond: I could do that. Yeah. You let me know when.
Arthur Fleck: [over phone] Wait, please, I love this job.
Hoyt Vaughn: Arthur, I need to why you brought a gun into a kids hospital?
Arthur Fleck: It’s a prop, for my act now.
Hoyt Vaughn: That’s bulls**t! It’s bulls**t! What kind of clown carries a f***ing gun? Besides, Randall told me, you tried to fire a thirty-eight over him last week.
Arthur Fleck: Randall told you that?
Hoyt Vaughn: You’re a f***-up, Arthur, and a liar. You’re fired!
Wall Street Three: [as Arthur laughs uncontrollably] Is something funny? What’s so f***ing funny?
Arthur Fleck: I…
[as Arthur tries to find the card that explains his condition, the three men start beating him up]
Gary: I heard what happened? Sorry, mate.
Randall: Yeah, it doesn’t seem fair, getting fired like that.
Haha’s Clown #1: Did you really bring a gun to a children’s hospital, Arty? What the f*** would you do that for?
Haha’s Clown #2: Is that part of your new act, Arthur? The dancing didn’t do the trick, you were just going to shoot yourself?
Arthur Fleck: Why don’t you ask Randall about it? It was his gun.
Randall: What?
Arthur Fleck: I still owe you for that, don’t I?
Randall: What the f*** are you talking about? Stop talking out of you’re a**, Art.
Arthur Fleck: [honks the clown horn, walks off, but returns] Oh, no. I forgot to punch out.
[he punches the timestamp machine, laughs as it breaks and leaves]
Good Morning Host: [Arthur and Penny are watching the news] There seems to be a groundswell of anti-rich sentiment in the city. It’s almost as if our less fortunate brethrens are taking the side of the k*ller.
Thomas Wayne: Yes, that is a shame. It’s one of the reasons why I’m considering a run for mayor. Gotham’s lost its way.
Good Morning Host: What about the eyewitness report of the suspect being a man in a clown mask?
Thomas Wayne: Well, it makes total sense to me. What kind of coward would do something that coldblooded? Someone who hides behind a mask. Someone who is envious of those more fortunate than themselves. Yet they’re too scared to show their own face. And it’s those kind of people that change for the better, those of us who’ve made something of our lives, will always look at those who haven’t, as nothing but clowns.
Penny Fleck: [to Arthur as he laughs] That’s not funny.
Arthur Fleck: I heard this song on the radio the other day, and the guy was singing that his name was Carnival.
Social Worker: Arthur…
Arthur Fleck: Which is crazy, because that’s my clown name. At work, until a little while ago, it was like nobody ever saw me. Even I didn’t know if I really existed.
Social Worker: Arthur, I have some bad news for you.
Arthur Fleck: You don’t listen, do you? I don’t think you ever really listened to me. You just ask the same questions every week. “How’s your job? Are you having any negative thoughts?” All I have are negative thoughts. But you don’t listen. Anyway, I said, for my whole life, I didn’t know if I even really existed. But I do, and people are starting to notice.
Social Worker: They cut our funding. They’re closing down our offices next week. The city’s cut funding across the board, social services is part of that. This is the last time we’ll be meeting.
Arthur Fleck: Okay.
Social Worker: They don’t give a s**t about people like you, Arthur. And they really don’t give a s**t about people like me either.
Arthur Fleck: What am I supposed to do about my medication now? Who do I talk to?
Social Worker: I’m sorry, Arthur.
Arthur Fleck: [laughs uncontrollably as he begins his standup routine at a club] School, as a kid, my mother would say, “You should enjoy it. One day you’ll have to work for a living.” No, I won’t, ma. I’m going to me a comedian.
[the audience is quiet, and we see Sophie in the audience smiling]
Sophie Dumond: [to Arthur, referring to the k*llings of the three businessmen by the clown]Do you believe that s**t? F*** them. I think they guy that did it is a hero. Three less creeps in Gotham City. Only a million more to go.
Penny Fleck: [referring to Thomas Wayne] He’s an extraordinary man, Happy. A very powerful man. We were in love. He said it was best that we not be together because of appearances. And I couldn’t tell anyone because, well, I signed some papers. And besides, you can imagine what people would say about Thomas and me, what they’d say about you.
Arthur Fleck: What would they say, mom?
Arthur Fleck: [goes to Wayne Manor where he sees young Bruce] Hi. What’s your name?
Bruce Wayne: I’m Bruce.
Arthur Fleck: Bruce. I’m Arthur.
[he puts his fingers on Bruce’s face, lifting the corners of his mouth as if to make Bruce smile]
Alfred Pennyworth: Bruce! Bruce! Get away from that man.
Arthur Fleck: It’s okay. I’m a good guy.
Alfred Pennyworth: How do you do? Who are you?
Arthur Fleck: I’m here to see Mr. Wayne.
Alfred Pennyworth: Well, you shouldn’t be speaking to his son. Why did you give him these flowers?
Arthur Fleck: No, they’re not real. It’s magic. I was just trying to make Bruce smile.
Alfred Pennyworth: Well, it’s not funny, is it? Do I need to call the police?
Arthur Fleck: No, please.
Arthur Fleck: My mother’s name is Penny. Penny Fleck. She used to work here years ago. Can you please tell Mr. Wayne I need to see him?
Alfred Pennyworth: You are her son?
Arthur Fleck: Yeah. Did you know her? I know about the two of them. She told me everything.
Alfred Pennyworth: There’s nothing to know. There is no “them”. Your mother was delusional. She was a sick woman.
Arthur Fleck: Don’t say that.
Alfred Pennyworth: Just go. Before you make a fool of yourself.
Arthur Fleck: Thomas Wayne is my father.
Alfred Pennyworth: [as he laughs and Arthur starts to choke him] Let go of me! Let go! Let go of me!
[Arthur looks at Bruce watching with fear, he turns and runs off]
Detective Garrity: [[after Penny is taken to hospital] Mr. Fleck. Sorry to bother you. I’m Detective Garrity. This is my partner, Detective Burke. We have a few questions for you, but you weren’t home. So, we spoke with your mother.
Arthur Fleck: Oh. What did you say to her? Did you do this?
Detective Garrity: What? No.
Detective Burke: No, no, no. We just asked her some questions. She got hysterical. Hyperventilating, collapsed.
Arthur Fleck: Yeah, but the doctor said she had a stroke.
Detective Garrity: We’re sorry to hear about that. But like I said, I still have some questions for you. They’re about the subway k*llings that happened last week. You’ve heard about them, right?
Arthur Fleck: Yeah. It’s horrible.
Detective Garrity: Right.
Detective Garrity: So we spoke with your boss, over at Ha-Ha’s. He said you were fired for bringing a gun into the children’s hospital. Is that true, Mr. Fleck?
Arthur Fleck: It’s a prop. It’s part of my act. I’m a party clown.
Detective Burke: Alright, so why were you fired?
Arthur Fleck: They said I wasn’t funny enough. Can you imagine that? Now, if you don’t, I have to go take care of my mother.
Detective Burke: Your boss also gave us one of your cards. This condition of yours, the laughing, is it real, or some sort of clown thing?
Arthur Fleck: A clown thing?
Detective Burke: Yeah. I mean, part of your act?
Arthur Fleck: What do you think?
Detective Burke: [as Arthur walks into the glass door] It’s exit only.
Murray Franklin: [Arthur is watching Murray Franklin’s show ] And finally, in a world where everyone thinks they could do my job, we got this videotape from Pogo’s Comedy Club, right here in Gotham. Here’s a guy who thinks he could just keep laughing, it’ll somehow make you funny. Check out this joker.
Arthur Fleck: [the footage shows him at the comedy club earlie] Oh, no.
Arthur Fleck: [as he watches the footage of his standup joke] School, as a kid, my mother would say, “You should enjoy it. One day you’ll have to work for a living.” No, I won’t, ma. I’m going to me a comedian.
Murray Franklin: You should have listened to your mother.
[the audience at Murray’s show laugh]
Trailer:
Joker. Wow. The richest story in the DC Universe comics & animation films; is that of the Joker & Batman. This particular film has managed to pre-excite the audience for the upcoming Batman film in 2021. In hopes that by the time Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) kicks in to the story, the Joker, remarkably portrayed by (Joaquin Phoenix), would have fully evolved & matured into the “Prince of crime” as seen in the comics.
Joker was a compelling and powerful origin story that throughout, unavoidably enough, manages to garner sympathy from the audience. With excellent story structure, character moments & character development, it’s THE best well written & developed film of the year.
If one were to even concentrate on some of the moments, they would be able to notice the attention to detail. Such as the depressing scene of the Joker’s flashbacks to never having even been with the woman, Sophie Dumond, (Zazie Beetz). A pitiful, strange, broken, lonely, & twisted man with an unforgivable dark past, whom the audience clearly contemplate as to how he would even be capable of attaining a normal companion. “Reading between the lines”; it makes one wonder if the only real moment was when she showed up to his comedy show performance, sitting in alone, watching him in the dark background of the venue. The saddest reality was to realize just how much hopelessness was inside the Joker. To the extent that even in his most beautiful & ‘good’ moments of happiness; they were all delusions. Just that brief evaluation from the film allows the audience to examine more closely his mental journey to madness.
Joker is not only a reflection to some people’s understanding of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder but also a reflection of our insecure society. This film is emotionally challenging, yet also truthfully haunting. A major mark in the history of Gotham City’s uprising of crime & the man who started it all, automatically allowing viewers to make comparisons of previous Joker films. Even the heart breaking moments, such as the discovery of his adoption, really pushed the audience to imagine just what could be going through his mind, allowing ourselves to understand the different reasons that led to his new found violence. Joker, accepting his sinister side, without any emotion is powerfully portrayed in many scenes, from killing his adopted mother then looking out the window, to killing his old work colleague all whilst maintaining his composure shows just how much crap he’s been through to reach a state of numbness.
Joker, all in all, has proved to be a super – super villain story with an intense touch of real life. At some point watching the dramatic film, you forget the fact that this all originated from a comic book.
An excellent picture. Excellent.
You wouldn’t idolize the joker unless someday you leave your work place or study broken deep inside, feeling totally marginalized, at least, once in your life
No one ever think to talk to you unless to say a word that may kill you, though u come over it,
Or when u get rejected from someone you love
When Arthur Flick(Joker) was imagining that he has a lover he didn’t make her say: Arthur I want to marry you”, instead, he said on her behalf : ” 3 guys in Ghothenham had died, 1 million remain.
you can imagine my dear
In the cinema, when our friend Arthur was laughing unwillingly because of his psychological illness trying hardly to mute himself, what happened then, did the guys in cinema feel him?
No, instead they started laughing!
Perhaps this movie is meant to uncover our society first, at least the citizens of Ghotheham didn’t know Arthur so well as we did, though, we made fun of him.
Someone said Arthur needed one single thing in the whole movie, one single attitude stood between him and transforming to the character of the Joker… To be hugged by anyone, one single person!
However, do we really have the right to blame him!?
Can you imagine sitting with a person who has been killed one thousand time and start advising and giving him lessons in morals while you are living a life of nobles?! as Joker said:” you decide what’s right or wrong. The same way that you decide what’s funny or not.”
We log into social media to laugh about a video for very short man, we may call him “dwarf”, or someone fat who got stuck in the mud…
But if that short or crippled man comes and tell you: “Your boss had been stabbed 5 times by an employee”, you wouldn’t find it funny, instead you would find it very rude and disgusting thing and you’ll get very mad.. But you have never thought that making fun of someone is very disgusting to him, and that makes him very angry, very mad…That makes him a Joker..
You are the one who creates the Joker and you are the one who can prevent him of demonstrating among us..
but unfortunately, when he exists, you can’t find a way to make him disappear anymore, because the time of marginalization, bullying and oppression will vanish.
Weakness will turn into a curse on anyone who helped developing it inside us.
Weakness will become a “power”, a “pride” a “glory”!
It’s the revolution of the marginalized people! It’s the revolution of those who had been told “NO” repeatedly.
You think they are clowns, They are now, without being ashamed!
We are all clowns
Absolutely a masterpiece movie. i watched it twice Joaquin’s performance was phenomenal the way he transform slowly from Arthur to Joker is marvelous. the cinematography is great every is amazing and music hildur guðnadóttir is just mind blowing. I just one say line.
Joker is one of the best comic book movie i ever see
I love this movie all quotes thanks this site is awesome.
Best joker quotes
The onwner of this web is a REAL genius, thanks for all
Joker : What’s your name?
Me : Shafin
Joker : Are you depressed?
Me : Yes
Joker : Are you shocked?
Me : Yes
Joker : Are you hate people?
Me : Sometimes.
Joker : Do you have an emotional past?
Me : I’m not sure..
Joker : Are you fool?
Me : Maybe..
Joker : Are you broken?
Me : A little…
Joker : Do you have any dream?
Me : I had..
Joker : Has you been cheated ever?
Me : Again and again…
Joker : Then why you smile all-time?
Me : I Don’t know..
Joker : Because you are also a joker.Come and join my club..
Me :
Own Words.. Not copied from anywhere…
Don’t forget to smile…
😀
Hey, do you mind if I use this for a fanfic?
Just an amazing movie.
Wasn’t there a part of Arthur’s stand-up routine where he mentions getting bullied at school or something? I can’t remember the quote. Anyone remember it?
i know there was a deleted scene about that
i think he said, when was a little boy and told people i was gonna to be a comedian, everyone laughed at me, but nocone’s laughing now!
Why do you censor the word “Killing”?
might be for some search engine’s indexing reasons
Oooohh man!!!! Where to begin. Joker is such a well grounded and gritty film it is definitely a horse of a different color for comic book films. From the cinematography, pacing , to the smooth transition between each scene I felt like I was watching an A24 independent film. Joaquin phoenix knocked this out of the park his performance was amazing. This was really his movie from beginning to end, and every scene he is in your immediately immersed and excited to see what’s about to happen next. His character Arthur fleck is someone who is just damaged no one really likes him they think he’s weird , pretty much an outcast of society. But that doesn’t stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a stand up comedian which unfortunately comes to an end after having that “One bad day”. Then the ball starts rolling from there. What’s unique about this film is that it also brings awareness to mental illness. You really get to see throughout the film how Arthur fleck tries to cope with his day to day conditions and how he slowly transitions into joker . It’s almost as if the director ripped a page out of the 1970’s Taxi driver film.
My only issue with the film and this is the only issue I had, Its a slow burn movie. The pacing was really slow on some parts , but once the second half commenced it was a roller coaster ride.
Joker is a masterpiece film and will forever be my top DC film of all time hands down. 5 out 5.
That is the smartest thing I’ve read all day, particularly the A24 bit (I’ve never seen a bad film from them yet). IDK, but it kinda’ feels like a proper film critique. Like, what are you doing here with me and everyone? Perhaps you should be on another web site, but actually writing for them after having seen whatever is on the home box office this week, you know?
I mean, I would but my synopsis would probably not be as eloquent as yours was just now.
Because joker is a iconic mass villain , everyone like this character in DC comics.. even in dark knight movie , batman with his suit and technology came to fight with joker , but Joker stand cool with his gun infront of batman without any suit in his body.. what a attitude of joker ! It’s very impressing and make everone love to that Joker character.. that’s why Joker is very famous.. i am a huge fan of JOKER.
didnt see the movie. but this lack of substance in writing got me worried
the acting is amazing! usually dont like DC movies but this great. i think its better than anything I’ve seen in a while.
Can u put dialogue last fifteen minutes of the movie. It’ very interesting conversation with joker and Murray. It’s reflects totally movie theme of the joker
Ditto and well said.
Of ALL THE DC FILMS, intellectual properties for film as well as TV, even rolling the clock back to Reeves (RIP), this is, bar none, the very best, highest artistic achievement of them I’ve ever seen.
And, my God, I consume too much media as it is. They normally do not give serious accolades for comic book film as it is generally squarely rooted in Action genre. We’re not talking Shakespeare here, you know…but this? This is high end drama, a proper R-rating, just high marks all around. It should net awards, surely.
Regular comic films get mostly just technical awards; sound editing, costume design, things like that. However, were I a gambling man, I would heartily expect some Oscar chatter or a statue next Feb.
I seen it last friday going in with low expectations. It blew me away. It is fantastic.
you forgot “Sending the CLOWN!!” one