Without a doubt, the most intriguing addition to this years Venice Film Festival line up was Todd Phillip’s Joker. A film that focuses on Batman’s biggest nemesis, the clown prince of crime. The film was not without its controversy when it was first announced, but thanks to its two incredible trailers, the film has become a talking point for an awards campaign for Jaquin Phoenix and his portrayal of popular villain.
The first reactions to Joker have arrived and it looks as though this film will create more than a talking point for Phoenix but rather a strong push for the actor to receive his first Academy Award.
There will be before Joker. And there will be after Joker. I don't know if the world is ready for this movie. Or maybe it is? It is GNARLY. It is crazy. It is audacious. It doesn't hold back. Wow. I can't believe it exists. But it does. And it's coming.
— Alex Billington (@firstshowing) August 31, 2019
FWIW, this Joker screening received the loudest applause/cheers of the festival yet. Seems critics loved it. 😈🤡 #Venezia76
— Alex Billington (@firstshowing) August 31, 2019
#Joker has been receiving unanimous praise from critics after its Venice debut, where it received a thunderous standing ovation, with critics calling it a "darkly funny", "thrilling", "tragic" "masterpiece" anchored by a "powerful, Oscar worthy performance" from Joaquin Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/bh2nw39STu
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) August 31, 2019
#Venezia76 The #Joker we fucking deserve. Rings of comedy, rings of fire. It's a circus, it's a carnival, it's a mayhem. Phoenix brings us dancing through this social disease and it's a triumph. #JokerMovie
— Lorenzo Ciorcalo (@rotovisor) August 31, 2019
I can’t quite believe how good Joker is. It’s a masterpiece. Funny, dark, beautiful, full of rage, and really fucking cool. Joaquin Phoenix is masterful and every shot is sublime. #Venezia76
— James Jones (@jamesjonesfilm) August 31, 2019
#JokerMovie is an efficacious & disturbing film that's equally meritorious & tragic. Phoenix's roaring, monstrous performance as the Clown of Crime is so immaculate, so maestoso, it's a prodigious accomplishment, and marks the apex of his already superlative career. #Venezia76 pic.twitter.com/YeHZg4WqHd
— International Film Critique (@IntFilmCritique) August 31, 2019
Phoenix evokes a sense of tragic, melancholic beauty in his transformation as the #Joker, going beyond impersonation & disturbingly explodes on screen in an act so flawless in timing & character perception, it's quite frankly one of the most impressive method acting feats.
— International Film Critique (@IntFilmCritique) August 31, 2019
“Bring in the clowns!!!” 🤡 #Joker will surprise the hell out of people. Dark, twisted, brutal origin story of the most recognised villain in popular culture. Joaquin Phoenix adds another iconic performance to his extraordinary career #Venezia76
— Radek Folta (@rdfolta) August 31, 2019
#Joker is still under embargo, but let me just say that we need more actors like Joaquin Phoenix #Venezia76 #VeniceFilmFestival
— Rob (@RobRuggio) August 31, 2019
#Joker Pheonix is phenomenal. Dark, gritty & fucking crazy. More on the lines of Mean Streets than Taxi Driver. It all looks to be serving a masterclass but Phillips stumbles in the last hurdle with the film not knowing if it wants to stand alone or be enticed by lore #Venezia76 pic.twitter.com/tB2QlBeQrm
— Jak o'-lantern Sharp @LFF 2020 (@JakLukeSharp) August 31, 2019
The strong first reactions certainly put a smile on my face as the joker as consistently been my favorite character in comics and one that has always been an interesting character study. Joker will next hit the Toronto Film Festival before concluding its festival run at the New York Film Festival in late September.
Joker hits theaters October 4th, 2019.
