“Put on a happy face” Joker

My thoughts after seeing the movie Joker.

I heard a lot of discouraging hype about why I shouldn’t go see the new Joker movie. Stories of people walking out of the theater because they couldn’t stand to watch. Someone even said to me, “Your mind may not be able to handle that type of movie.” So you know, curiosity got to me and I had to go see it myself, just to see what the hype, or rather non-hype was about. 

From the trailer, it looked harmless. I recognized the undertone of the mental health aspect of the character, which was intriguing enough for me to decide ongoing.

I had this anticipation of what I heard from everyone to see if it lived up to the hype but was surprised by what I got from it.

It was a nice autumn evening and AMC offers discounts on Tuesdays. Anyone who knows me knows I like a discount, so I went.

With my ticket purchased through the AMC app, I got in line for one small popcorn just in case I needed something to eat to distract me from the gory scenes I anticipated from what the critics said. I had bottled water in my bag so I was covered if I got thirsty. 

After a few previews and advertisements, the movie finally started. I was tossing and turning in my seat because of all the comments in my head of what to expect. The fact that the theater was at capacity had me anxious as well. Thank goodness I got the popcorn. I could distract myself!

From my vantage point as someone who has struggled with mental health issues, I was able to peer into his mind and sympathize with some of his thoughts. 

One of the major issues raised in the Joker is the unfortunate tragedy of mental health, where access to therapy and care options are limited when it comes to the poor, disenfranchised and even the middle class. 

Joker is a movie about Arthur Fleck (played brilliantly by Joaquin Phoenix) who had some psychopathic tendencies. He worked as a clown by day and struggled to make sense of his life by night. There were scenes that showed his journal full of his thoughts and jokes. 

A few stood out to me, like, “I hope my death makes more cents than my life did.” This is the thought process that so many people who struggle with mental illness have on a regular basis. 

This one rocked me to the core. “The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don't.”

But the most thrillingly epic, jaw-dropping moment for me was when “The Joker” said to the late-night talk-show host played by Robert De Niro, “What do you get when you cross a mentally ill loner with a society that treats him like trash? You get exactly what you deserve”, then shoots the host point-blank. This raises another issue where access to guns is still as easy as buying a stick of gum. We need stricter laws and legislation.  

Thanks to Joaquin Phoenix for such brilliant acting I know maybe I’ll be hearing his name for the Oscars. 

In summary,  I’ll quote one of the funniest guys ever lived -  Robin Williams, who said this, “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy. Because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anybody else to feel like that.” 

If you or someone you know struggles with a mental health issue and needs help please reach out for help?

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

www.therapyforblackgirls.com