Good job Mathew, I went over and read your Medium article as well. Have you noticed that the only review you mentioned specifically amongst those you thought were ok, has been taken down by youtube?
As someone that just stumbled on your substack a few weeks ago, and has been trying to catch up, this post really stood out.
I don't watch movies. I don't like Hollywood. I can't remember the last movie I saw before Joker -- I think it might have been a Lord of the Rings.
But, I watched Joker when I was on an airplane (I also rarely travel). And, it blew my mind. I think about it frequently. I'm still trying to process why it hit me so deep. Your analysis helps.
One thing that struck me, which I think you touch against here, is the crazy empathy I feel for Arthur.
"But what should really horrify us all is wondering whether there is anything actually different about Arthur, as a baby being born, joining this world out of a mother, then distanced by an absent father who was perfectly capable of taking care of them both."
I'm horrified by his brutality, and yet also feel extreme empathy toward him.
It reminds me of things I've heard Jordan Peterson talk about, where there's this fine line between chaos and order that's almost mystical. That's the best explanation for why I found Joker so meaningful/disturbing and I think about it so much. It gets you into that weird place.
Very good look at this movie. You're absolutely right that most people completely misunderstand the movie and what it actually shows about the main character and the point of the story. There's so much to understand about what Joker does as a film. I recently watched it again myself and plan on releasing my thoughts.
Wow! I haven't seen Joker, but as a person who worked in mental health, including forensics, I sure want to now. I will be sharing.
Good job Mathew, I went over and read your Medium article as well. Have you noticed that the only review you mentioned specifically amongst those you thought were ok, has been taken down by youtube?
As someone that just stumbled on your substack a few weeks ago, and has been trying to catch up, this post really stood out.
I don't watch movies. I don't like Hollywood. I can't remember the last movie I saw before Joker -- I think it might have been a Lord of the Rings.
But, I watched Joker when I was on an airplane (I also rarely travel). And, it blew my mind. I think about it frequently. I'm still trying to process why it hit me so deep. Your analysis helps.
One thing that struck me, which I think you touch against here, is the crazy empathy I feel for Arthur.
"But what should really horrify us all is wondering whether there is anything actually different about Arthur, as a baby being born, joining this world out of a mother, then distanced by an absent father who was perfectly capable of taking care of them both."
I'm horrified by his brutality, and yet also feel extreme empathy toward him.
It reminds me of things I've heard Jordan Peterson talk about, where there's this fine line between chaos and order that's almost mystical. That's the best explanation for why I found Joker so meaningful/disturbing and I think about it so much. It gets you into that weird place.
Very good look at this movie. You're absolutely right that most people completely misunderstand the movie and what it actually shows about the main character and the point of the story. There's so much to understand about what Joker does as a film. I recently watched it again myself and plan on releasing my thoughts.