What makes Joker so compelling is not just the way Joaquin Phoenix brings the iconic character to life! What is especially disturbing about the film, is the storyline about Arthur Fleck, a troubled clown and his mother, Penny.
Penny Fleck's Claims:
Penny Fleck tries to make her case to her son, Arthur Fleck that he's actually Thomas Wayne's biological son.
One thing is pretty clear and it comes in the form of a love letter that Penny writes to Thomas that she keeps with her in this memorable movie.
- It has the name of both the letter's recipient, Thomas, and then of course the writer. The letters are full of heartbreakingly emotional expressions about her son.
- But to make it worse, this adds fuel to the flames when Arthur goes looking for more insight into what his life might look like. He has doubts and eventually confronts Thomas Wayne about Penny's accusations, only to find out a hard, painful truth - that the future "Batman"'s father says it is just a bunch of delusions!
Penny's Identity: A Disturbing Truth
Even if you haven't seen "Joker," it is not a film that leaves much room for assumptions!
Penny's claims aren't real, but the sad truth is, even those of us who might think they are not real get caught up in "Joker's" powerful story about Mental Illness!
- We later find that Penny was in an asylum after she is admitted and while that sounds heartbreaking and tragic for Arthur, she had to be in that asylum. This comes from a file about a new admission.
We're never sure about this moment.
- In the "Joker" movie it was mentioned that Penny had some great, happy memories from her younger years as she is in the asylum and tells Arthur to live happily in his.
- It's a hard truth, and that truth gives us this powerful statement: it appears that she never really raised Arthur
- This includes when it comes to Penny's emotional state.
Joker: Folie à Deux A Sequel
Joker: Folie à Deux. What was great about this film was it brought audiences into a whole new perspective about the way this story could continue! We got to see more of Arthur's journey and a continuation of the themes from Joker, including those about mental illness.
- Joker: Folie à Deux had some amazing parts but it turned out that there wasn't a great deal about Penny in this film.
- Even the trial about all of his crimes, which takes center stage in this sequel! Didn't make much of an impression as to how "Joker" got this way!
That brings us back to Arthur's side. This amazing villain's character got caught in this heartbreaking reality where "Joker" decided to put in perspective a shocking truth to the audience - he even had to reveal that he had killed his mom in front of all those people, during the trial scene. The entire movie made it a complex look into the world and for Arthur, this would truly mean a loss of his past but maybe an even bigger look at just how warped this character had become, because of this horrific event.
Sophie's Revelations:
Fans really got to appreciate those in the story around Arthur! Joker focused a lot on that mother son relationship.
However, "Joker: Folie à Deux" adds an important perspective to what is really true about the connection! One person who had this great insight and relationship is a character, Sophie Dumon, in the film! This well-loved character, in "Joker" did a lot of good for Arthur, and her ability to step into a new role, helps to paint this new image that no one anticipated.
This neighbor took the time to show how incredibly toxic, this bond really was between mother and son. Sophie gives viewers the understanding that Penny only lied to her son. It seems that she made up all of these positive and joyful memories to keep him happy as a boy.
Penny Fleck A Tragic Villain:
As you see these powerful, shocking elements it's impossible to ignore how the truth behind the family was horrible! Penny and her relationship were even more complicated!
- While Penny thought it would give him a reason to live and find happiness, the results showed us a world full of "Joker's" evil. It also looks to be a major component that led to all of these tragic events.
- This gives an impression of Penny's own heartlessness towards Arthur! That really takes this iconic story in a wild direction!
- It's shockingly dark but Joker: Folie à Deux delivers that sense of fear in the story as the viewers begin to realize what might be behind the mind and the motivations behind these Gotham heroes and villains, it doesn't leave any room for doubt as to whether or not Penny Fleck was an enabler. It's pretty clear how she's truly been behind this awful story that she never tried to correct and make things right!
The sequel, was more than just an additional adventure! It had the ability to bring to light an ugly truth about a troubled character who felt all the stress and pain of a horrific childhood. As "Joker" got his big day in court it appears he had the courage to accept this event. He went through and confessed to a crime that made it even worse as it added even more drama, to an incredible world full of these unforgettable moments.
The film ends on an even greater question than it starts with!
The series as a whole is just an excellent dive into how messed up these iconic DC villains truly are!
You can enjoy "Joker" on various platforms, including streaming services.
Fans who want to see this must watch this crazy series of films.
It leaves plenty to contemplate long after the screen cuts to black.
