Joker

Why is Joker, Batman’s most popular arch nemesis? Why is Joker such a coveted character in pop culture and in entertainment? From comics, graphic novels, live action/animated T.V., to four different film franchises all portraying the character in depth, what is the fascination? Is it his two-sided personality? The dual nature of a laughing man turned madman? His freedom? His fearlessness? Why does every actor want to sink their teeth into a role like this one? Why do we love to see him on screen? It is because he’s cool, insane, wears purple, sports green, and is the clown prince of crime? I was going to talk specifically about the movie and how I felt Joaquin did as opposed to previous Jokers, but I decided against it. I could go on all day about it, but really, all interpretations of Joker by past actors are reflections of a man, a story, and a character in time. They all deserve their respective credit and each, at the very least, should feel blessed to have been able to step into the cackling con’s clown shoes. The one who played Joker in Todd Phillip’s 2019 film and took home the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Arthur Fleck, doesn’t need anymore attention, and probably doesn’t want it either. I’m sure he made the film either for the money, or the notoriety, or maybe just because it was a good role. Maybe he did it because his reasons were bigger than his name, or any award that would come thereafter. Maybe he knew, if it was done right, it would be the spark to a flame. One that may awaken a sleeping giant. We don’t know for certain, but awoken sleeping giant is exactly what I see in society today. Something is no longer sleeping, and what is wide awake are the citizens of the United States. A cocktail of corona and killing by criminal cops will make for a dangerous mix, and it’s a mix what we’re all caught up in, regardless if we’re actually “in it” or not. It is the same giant that might bring the country to its knees, and from what we’ve seen, one that will most definitely bring Jokers out into the street.

I’d like to talk less about the performances and the writing of Joker, but about the unbelievable timeliness and irony the film brings us in 2020. When I saw this movie last year, I was a little worried that people might take the scenes and outrage on screen literally, and not use the film as a message or cautionary tale. As I write this on Monday June 1st, 2020, I realize all of my thoughts and fears in the theater were correct and have unfortunately come true today. I knew the film would breed something big, and knew its impact would be felt and seen far later and greater than what it had done in its theatrical run. It has become the film for our present age. The celluloid nightmare for which we are living now. For what has come to fruition before us is a state and country under complete and utter chaos. For six days there has been violence, unrest, and rioting in the streets. There has been fighting, looting, burning, and essentially an all out war against powers that be. People are taking to the streets to be heard, knowing that there is no other way to get things done, except to do what Joker has done. They’ve had evidence how things can get done, and in fiction or not, Joker has been a factor that is clearly evident in this. As I type these words down, it’s almost comical how similar the film is to what is happening now. Burning buildings, vandalizing cop cars, people wearing masks and running around at night, reckless and enraged. Different yes, but really just the same. Protests, pushbacks, people at the end of their rope, and no real political leadership or direction. In this case, the masks they wear aren’t clown masks, but those worn by citizens who have been wearing them for months now. Masks to prevent themselves from COVID 19. Masks to prevent the emotion of what’s really being displayed on their faces. But who is Joker? Who is the one they follow? Who is the Arthur Fleck of right now? Our president is a clown, some would say, but the irony is, he isn’t being followed. The clown that started it all isn’t a man who lives in the slums, and gets pushed around by society until he snaps… he is the one on top of the heap, looking down. This proverbial clown, is in charge of their country. All of the resistance and uprising is toward him. They all act out against his ways, and the way he’s lead the country. He even looks like he wears makeup and has a wig on his head. Could it be a costume? It’s all so similar that I felt the urge, and the need to sit down and just write about it. Regardless of my thoughts or opinions, I am just pointing out similarities of the movie and our present society. How could all of this be coming together so perfectly? Not perfect as in I’m enjoying the subject material, but perfect in the way that art imitates life and life imitates art in that way. The rioters, the looters, the people who are seeking justice, freedom, for their lives are tired of being pushed around. They’re taking a stand… taking matters into their own hands, like Arthur Fleck had.

When I saw the scenes in Joker, I muttered to myself - “oh, this is not going to be good”. I told myself, “people are going to see this movie and will be getting ideas”. “People are going to see this film and will want to be Arthur”. Sure enough, here we are. As a revolution against the system is starting, I can feel the warmth from the fires of the city. The heat is palpable. With four consecutive nights of 6am-6pm curfews, 140 cities rioting, mayhem in countless states, it is truly a cinematic sight to see. Sometimes people just become tired of being the butt of the joke. The ones who are picked on and looked over, the ones at the bottom, who look up, are the ones who wants to be treated right. They look at the one’s on top and wonder, how much pressure will it take to see that house of cards fall? Can I be the one to do it? Will I? Who’s going to be laughing then, like they are laughing now? I’m not surprised in the least as to what has happened in recent weeks. I don’t choose a side, because I see both. I see the positive and negatives of the divide. I see the seriousness of the problem, and I see that other ways about going about change in this country haven’t worked. I see non-peaceful protest, but also references to Martin Luther King. Outraged citizens are trying everything they can. They will try every method until there is one that is tried and true, because it’s their lives that are at stake here. All of our lives really. We all share this country, we all live in these cities. Is tearing down your own town, justified? It’s not up to me. Life will unfold in the way it does without my thoughts, opinions, or continuous ranting. Objectivity, I find, is the best way to learn from these situations. To learn what decisions I want to make in my life moving forward, I like to think logically, but sometimes logic just isn’t enough. I try my best not to be blinded by bias, or driven by emotion, but when ruthless killing is going on and a Joker is in office, it’s films like Joker or Parasite that show us what can be done. They were the most popular films of the year, and for good reason…they show us that this is all okay. We’re being shown that this the right way to act. That this is the best course of action for our future. This is how we get things done. And in a way, it is. For how can we release films like these to a world, and not be responsible for the backlash? How can we not learn by the characters in them? They are human and so are we. They are mirrors of our inner lives projected on screen. How can we not make art, release it on a grand scale, and not be surprised by what will come of it? When 40 frames per second are seen and taken in by film goers, we mustn’t forget that those theater goers are also the citizens of this country.

But what about order? Order? There is no order anymore. Order isn’t working. Order is a thing of the past. Things get overlooked in order. People get stepped on in the old way of order. So what do I see? A birth of a new way. A coming of a new age. Parasite won four Oscars, Joker won two. Even Hollywood is saying yes to the films about class systems inciting violence to get their way. It’s something that I’m totally okay with. To bring the people in power down to their own level, to knock them down a few pegs, is what these Jokers aim to achieve. Culture wants these things to happen. We all want to see change. Change is so deeply needed when there hasn’t been any in a while. That’s just human nature. It’s just the way it needs to be for tension to be released. The sun, the planets, the trees, the seasons, are all built on change, so why wouldn’t we be? It’s in the beauty of a free country (or not so free) where we get to act out, say and do what we feel, and release art for the sake of just to say “we can”. We like to see boundaries pushed and new heights exceeded, so we can learn that there are no boundaries to our own personal freedom. So? Let’s try out something. Something that could lead to the worst possible consequence, and see where the chips fall. This is why I’m proud of my country, proud of the people in it, and proud of our nation’s core values. The people in charge are in service to us, it’s citizens… and when we see that they are no longer here to serve and protect, then things start to move and shake to get us back to the ground floor. It’s all so necessary and so relevant, even under conditions such as these. There is a need for a shift in power, and the power will be shifted to the ones who feel like they can’t breathe. Do I wish Joker had won best picture? Sure, but it didn’t need to. The message got across, and was very well heard. Do I blame Joker and Parasite for this madness? No. Nor do I necessarily want to call it madness. It’s all out of love, even if there has to be a few extra turns to get there. I don’t blame film, because the medium should never be snuffed, doused, or parented, but, I will say that the aforementioned films of 2019 sure had a hand in creating what would come to be in 2020. But, they weren’t the cause. The cause reaches farther and higher than any motion picture, and the cause is what actually sparked this flame. The films were just the kerosene, the kindling, the newspaper. Once the spark hit, it caught, and the fire began. This is why I love film, and at the same time, fear its power and influence over others. Freedom in filmmaking shows raw and unrelenting truth on screen and when it’s done so well, by such masterful work, people don’t see it as just a film. They can’t look at it objectively because people see themselves in Arthur Fleck, people see themselves as Joker. They confuse his life for theirs, and because the writing, directing, and performances are at top level, the bias, emotion, and truth in these films are what actually lead the people.

The objective ones can’t do much but write about it I suppose… So does it make me a coward or a crook not to be out on the streets with a mask and an ill-will? Does it make me scared and privileged, or is my life not bad enough to really care? I’m not sure. But the truth is, I do care. I guess writing down what I see and feel is how I can contribute. Writing it down may make it more clear. Though, I will say that I support it all, merely because it is happening. If I didn’t accept it, I would just be against myself. It is the current truth of our time, and we’re all here to witness it. Maybe this studio is my middle finger at everything that I can’t do with my life. Or for my lack of talent, or my financial status. Maybe it’s my middle finger to the system, and the way I want to establish myself apart from all of it. Maybe this is my joke… but in this world, I get to be the Joker. Why shouldn’t I have the right to? Why shouldn’t you? We don’t want to be told what to do by others, we don’t want to be oppressed by a job, or a group of others. We want to be free. The year 2020, and what has been going on in it, is no joke. The Jokers are rising and they will be heard. Yes it may be a sick joke, but they’re searching for freedom and laughter in their own lives. Laughter that is pure and genuine, not the laughter we fake when we’re uncomfortable and wearing a mask to hide what’s really going on inside. I mean real laughter, the kind that makes us feel alright. People aren’t feeling like laughing and when things are done and changes are made, maybe they’ll feel comfortable and safe enough in their world to relax and let out a laugh. They’re smiling, but there is anger, vengeance, and just cause behind the grin. How could I judge the way someone else sees life through their eyes? How can I judge someone else for feelings that aren’t mine? I’d like to be united, and it starts with understanding and realizing that my opinions and my truth is different than someone else’s. We have the same right to both live freely in our life. So let them do it, and let me do it, and whatever comes of it, so be it. All of our lives will be better for it. Once the smiles turn to frowns, clowns become kings, and kings become clowns. Crowds form and it all falls down. Finding their power and taking back their kingdom is what is deserved by us all. Building a life that is just and right is the punchline to this ongoing joke. So go on and laugh your asses off. Be the change you want to see, and become the people you want to be. I want you smiling, without a mask, when I take mine off, and smile back.

Looking closer at the actor’s name, I finally saw the joke. I literally saw the joaq in Joaquin and now it makes sense. He was meant for the role and he’s perfect in it. The role picked him, just like I like to think our roles in life, pick us. I mean, his name is Joaquin… and I’m not joaquin’ when I say, now that is fitting. I think whatever role you have in this society is the one life chose for you. So be who you are, say what you feel, and do what you do. You are perfect for this role life has given you, and you will win all the awards if that’s what you choose to do. And although we sometimes seem out of place, and the butt of life’s joke somedays, there’s never a role like yours, and there’s never a person like you to carry out what you need to do. Carry on Jokers and smile, through your fear and sorrow, and maybe tomorrow you’ll see the sun come shining through for you… You'll find that life is still worth while, if you just smile.

"When the chips are down, These civilized people, they'll eat each other."

Smile,
Though your heart is achin'
Smile,
Even though it's breakin'
When there are are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...

If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile,
And maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shinin' through,
For you...

Light up your face with gladness
Hide, every trace of sadness
Although a tear
may be ever so near

That's the time, You must keep on tryin'
Smile, what's the use of cryin'
You'll find that life is still worth while
If you just smile

If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile, and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shinin' through
for you...

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear
May be ever so near

That's the time
You must keep on tryin'
Smile, what's the use of cryin'
You'll find that life is still worth while
If you just smile

If you... just smile.