The document provides details about the 2019 film "Joker". It describes the main characters of Arthur Fleck/Joker and Murray Franklin. It discusses how the film shows Arthur's transformation into the Joker character amid a backdrop of social unrest in Gotham City in the 1980s. It also analyzes some of the directorial and cinematography choices as well as explores theories about Arthur's mental illnesses including narcissism, psychopathy, and pseudobulbar affect. The document closes by debating whether releasing such a film glorifying a mentally ill killer was appropriate given the current era of mass shootings.

1. ~Devadnani

2. Director
Todd Phillips
Scriptwriter
Scott Silver
Production

3. Characters

4. joker
Joaquin Phoenix

5. SophieDumond
Zazie Beetz

6. MurrayFranklin
Robert De Niro

7. The story takes place in the 80s, in the fictional city of Gotham which is clearly a
representation of New-York.
The city is under a massive feeling of res sentiment, and protestation. In this
environment, we are following Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian with mental illness.
Through the film we are witnessing his construction into the fictional criminal character
of the Joker.
So we are seeing a change in his behavior , and the reasons that drive him to commit
crimes, and become the prince of crime.
movieplot

8. understandingtransformation
fromarthurtojoker

20. JOKER
ThestairssymbolizeArthurtryingtoriseupbut
thengivingupandfalling,becoming

21. Direction
Familiarizing the Audience
A character that looms as large as The Joker comes with a certain set of expectations. There was the
issue of previous films like The Dark Knight and Suicide Squad that had previously introduced the
iconic persona. Additionally, director Todd Phillips did not approach the film in the template of a
comic book adaptation, rather, he tried to present the narrative as a psychological study of a deeply
damaged character.
Color
Joker tells a depressing and gritty story through the expressionistic use of colors, especially blues
and yellows. Arthur is regularly framed against yellow backgrounds, or in dim yellow lighting. Yellow is
associated with optimism and happiness, but its darker side also hints at illness, depression, disease
and madness. This creates a visual guide for Arthur’s struggle; despite his best efforts to find joy, he
cannot escape his circumstances.
Camerawork
One of the major themes of the film is Arthur’s fading grasp on reality. It is hinted at in the sequence
where Penny and Arthur watch his favorite talk show host, Murray Franklin. As he watches the show,
Arthur fantasizes that he has been invited on the set, and Murray brings him to the stage for a
heartfelt moment.

22. The scientific study of crime and criminal behavior and law enforcement.
Indeed through the film" Joker", we are witnessing the construction of the character , and
the transition from Arthur Fleck to the criminal known as the Joker.
Clearly in this film , there is a real attention and effort to understand what is the cause of
the Joker's criminal behavior.
Joker represents a part of life we can’t reach. He is a character who doesn’t play by the
rules. He goes against the grain. He doesn’t align with world norms. He represents our
fears of rebellion. He is pure chaos in a world full of order
The Problem With Joker Is Its Brutal Violence and The Muddled Message It Sends About
Our Times
criminologicalBehaviour

23. The behaviour of the joker , his social situation , and the social and economic reject
whose he is being subject to. This reject is really shown in the scene of the interview at
the end, where the Joker expresses this social and economic reject that has driven
people, and him into criminality.
Joker'ssocialcondition
“Nobody’scivil
anymore!Nobody
thinkswhatit’s
liketobethe
otherguy.”
“Theworstpartof
havingamentalillness
ispeopleexpectyouto
behaveasifyoudon’t.”

24. Although Arthur's disease remains unspecified throughout the film, we can make some
conclusions if we take a look at Joker's symptoms and mental condition throughout the
film.
During the therapy sessions, Arthur describes his complaints as loneliness, isolation and
‘constant negative thoughts’
Disorders
Arthur appears to have a complex mix of features of certain personality traits,
namely
Narcissism - (since he craves attention by any means)
Psychopathy - (since he demonstrates no empathy for his victims).
Pseudobulbar affect - (by sudden, uncontrollable episodes of crying, laughing
or both)
Diagnosing
mentalconditions
Joker's
allihavearenegative
thoughts

25. Narcissism
People with narcissism, sometimes referred to pointedly as “narcissists,” are excessively
fixated on their own needs, while simultaneously obsessed with gaining approval from
others.
Their relationships with others are superficial, designed as a source of admiration rather
than a channel for mutual intimacy.
They may engage in narcissistic abuse, either using someone as a tool to feed their ego
or neglecting the needs of someone who depends on them.

26. Psychopathy
The term "psychopath" is used to describe someone who is callous, unemotional, and
morally depraved.
Psychopathic traits commonly include:
Antisocial behavior
Narcissism
Superficial charm
Impulsivity
Callous, unemotional traits
Lack of guilt
Lack of empathy
One study found that about 29% of the general population exhibit one or more
psychopathic traits, but only 0.6% are likely to fit the definition of a psychopath.

27. Pseudobulbaraffect
Pseudobulbar Affect is a condition that causes uncontrollable crying and/or laughing
that happens suddenly and frequently. It can happen in people with a brain injury or
certain neurologic conditions.
A person having a crying episode may cry when they don’t feel sad or when they only feel
a little bit sad. Someone having a laughing episode may laugh when they don’t feel
amused or when they only feel a little bit amused.

28. In an era of mass shootings, is it right to do a glorification story about a mentally ill white
man who is so damaged by society that he eventually becomes a killer?
There were 434 mass shootings in 2019 that fit the inclusion criteria of this article,
resulting in 517 deaths and 1,643 injuries, for a total of 2,160 victims.
Source : BBC NEWS
Some have claimed that this film could inspire acts en violence
This film has been released also during a time of great tension around guns control in
USA , which could also be a factor of such a panic.
isThisthewrongERAfor
‘Joker’?

29. that'sLife
that'sLife