Challenge accepted! The actor who played Joker, Joaquin Phoenix, said, "I didn't want a psychiatrist
to be able to identify the type of person he was." Leaving now for the theater to watch
the opening showing. I'll be right back.
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OK, Joker. Look, I don't usually review movies, so I'm going to try to keep this as spoiler
free as possible. I won't explicitly say what happens in the plot. Let's go.
I just got back from watching the film. Now, as a physician, we don't diagnose people without
actually sitting down and having a visit with them, going over labs, etc. Given that, I
can't make a true diagnosis based on a movie. That said, Joaquin, you win. Arthur and Joker
are very hard to nail down. I had this notebook with me and I was scribbling delusions, inappropriate
laughter, lack of remorse, etc. But really, as he goes through this transformation from
Arthur to Joker, there are so many layers to his experience of this world that it's
very hard to nail down specific diagnoses. So, good job Joaquin. You were extraordinary.
You win.
So, is Arthur, Joker just… crazy? I thought Joaquin did a fabulous job exploring the transformation
of Arthur to Joker. Originally in DC comics, the Joker was more of a punny type of character.
Then we had the Jack Nicholson Joker that was more sinister and violent. I felt Joaquin's
exploration of the character led more to that style of Joker, with the original colors and
all. Whereas, Heath Ledger's version was more later stage, truly an intensely psychotic
version.
The story line in this movie wasn't anything groundbreaking or new. But what was groundbreaking
to me was the way Arthur's transformation was shown, not told, through the soundtrack,
his dancing, and the various types of laughs that the actor developed for different situations
and phases of the movie. Arthur/Joker was really a character in flux, from moment to
moment, and it was really incredible to watch. And through that soundtrack, dancing, and
laughter you're able to see other characters like Bruce Wayne's father through a different
lens. What also struck me was the way Joaquin acted out Arthur's suppression of emotions.
It was uncomfortable, tightly wound, and painful. I hope he wins awards for his performance,
because it was truly extraordinary in every way.
We see how Arthur is just an ordinary guy with some behavioral traits that were largely
a function of the environment he was raised in. His backstory is rooted in a reality that
we can relate to. And through it all, Arthur genuinely believed it was his role in the
world to bring joy and laughter to those around him. He wasn't born violent. He just wants
love and adulation, from his parents, from others. He just wants a hug. But what does
he get? He's bullied, beaten, and ignored. He says, "Nobody ever saw me. Nobody ever
listened to me. I didn't know if I even existed." He intensely lacked two critical factors that
we all need: connection and purpose.
As the world around him started crumbling from an already weak foundation from a painful
childhood upbringing, he descends into violence. And as he becomes Joker, he starts to notice
he's being heard. He starts to matter. He makes eye contact with others wearing the
clown mask as you probably saw in the trailer, that connection. He develops connection and
purpose through violence, which brings out the less suppressed, more free flowing version
of himself. I don't believe Joker is the person Arthur strived to be, but Joker is the person
who filled those two voids of connection and purpose.
If you're enjoying this so far, smash that Like button. By the way, this is spoiler free,
but if you want me to go in depth with spoilers, leave me a comment below saying "I want the
spoiler version!"
I think the film did a remarkable job showing some of the shortfalls of mental health in
society. Obviously, this is a fictional character in a fictional city at a time in the past.
But there are times when Arthur feels he's not heard, despite his efforts to get treatment.
He's unable to get medication he needs. His clinicians don't seem to empathize with him.
That all sounds like the unfortunate reality that a lot of people experience.
The film also showed the lack of empathy in society that we see in the world around us.
Human beings are a social species. We need our tribes and we need purpose within our
tribes. Lack of empathy leads to lack of connection. Lack of connection makes it very difficult
to have purpose. And without purpose, some people resort to horrific acts to feel like
they matter. To get noticed. To have a sad sense of purpose. What if a neighbor genuinely
asked Arthur how he was doing? What if someone genuinely tried mentoring him in comedy? Would
his trajectory of life been changed?
What can we learn from Arthur? Well for one, I don't believe anyone is born inherently
violent. They become that way when they commit their first act of violence later in life.
I think it's easy to blame others having beliefs that we don't agree with, but if there's anything
that being a physician has taught me, it's that there's always a reason if you're willing
to listen to someone's story. Arthur shows how suppressing emotions and not adequately
processing past trauma can lead to terrible outcomes. I think we can learn that we do
need to empathize with others, listen to them, acknowledge them. Does that mean we can exonerate
Joker for committing acts of violence because of his tragic upbringing? No, absolutely not.
We can be empathetic and hold others accountable for their actions. Some people take their
painful pasts and take it out on others, perpetuating the problem, like Joker does. Others take
their painful pasts, reprocess it, and use their experiences in the service of others.
What if Joker had been in an environment where he could turn his pain into good?
Oh right, I forgot to say whether I recommend this movie or not. It's awesome. Go see it.
Joaquin Phoenix was extraordinary.
If there's anything we can learn from Arthur, it's to reach out and connect with our friends,
neighbors, families, strangers. We ARE in a society that lacks empathy. And we can be
empathetic and hold each other accountable for our actions. Not taking action when we
see something troublesome counts as an action too. We are too quick to avoid meaningful
conversations but rather talk about the weather or complain about our favorite sports team.
We struggle to even ask our neighbor in the elevator "How are you?", when that might have
changed their entire day. We avoid difficult conversations with family members, day after
day, until those suppressed emotions boil over irreparably and ruin relationships. We
don't stop to think about the cumulative effect of these acts of lack of empathy, these acts
of disconnection.
Remember what Arthur didn't get, that turned him into Joker? Connection and Purpose. Everyone
needs to feel connection with their fellow human beings. Everyone needs to feel purpose.
It's not just something people get from a therapy session or a doctor's visit. We all
can give it in our everyday lives. My challenge to you is to be even more empathetic. I challenge
you to reach out to someone and tell them what they mean to you. Let them know they
matter. The smallest act can make someone's day, and the collection of those genuine acts
of connection can transform a culture. You have the power within you, to be that change.
I believe in your greatness.