About Joker

Joker is a 2019 American psychological thriller film directed and produced by Todd Phillips, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver. The movie provides a possible origin story for the character of Joker, famously known as Batman's nemesis in comic lore. It is set in 1981 and follows Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up comedian who turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City.

Making / Production

The conception of Joker started when director Todd Phillips pitched the idea to Warner Bros in 2016. It was officially announced in August 2017 with Phoenix being confirmed for the role of Joker in July 2018. The movie seeks inspiration from 1970s character studies and the works of Martin Scorsese, who was initially producing the film.

Actors

• Joaquin Phoenix played Arthur Fleck / Joker. Phoenix paints a different picture of the famous arch-nemesis, crafting a character that is uncomfortably relatable and human. His performance is haunting and profoundly moving.
• Robert De Niro was cast as Murray Franklin, a talk show host who plays a part in Arthur’s downfall. De Niro brings depth and nuance to his performance as a pivotal secondary character.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Despite being a movie about a comic book villain, Joker does not include a single actual reference to Batman comics.
• Before filming, Phoenix studied several disorders and chose features that he thought would work best for Arthur’s condition.

Awards

Joker was not only a commercial success, but also a critical one and it received numerous accolades. Joaquin Phoenix won his first Academy Award for Best Actor and the film was also nominated for the Best Picture.

Quotes

• "I used to think that my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it’s a comedy." - Arthur Fleck
• "Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?" - Arthur Fleck

Music / Soundtrack

• "Joker" (Main Theme)
• "Smile" (Written by Charlie Chaplin and performed by Jimmy Durante)