An amazing performance by Joaquin Phoenix carries this dark, and occasionally boring, film. If you’ve seen any of the trailers for this, or have watched “Taxi Driver,” then you have a pretty good idea of how this movie will play out. It starts off a bit a slow, and could use some trimming later in the film, before a strong finish. The supporting cast is fine, but they’re mostly in the background. Robert De Nero is solid in his roll, while Zazie Beetz comes off likable and down to earth, even though there’s always something off about her character logic. But there’s no doubt this is Phoenix’s movie. He owns the screen in almost every seen, both as Arthur Fleck and Joker. Interestingly, Fleck isn’t quite as sympathetic as the trailers would lead you to believe, which helps sell his transformation that much better. The strange emotional and physical traits Phoenix uses here create an interesting figure, although there are a few choices that feel a bit silly.
***1/2 out of *****