The New "Joker" Trailer is Ready for Its Close-Up

Scene from The Joker (2019)

On the heels of 2018's Black Panther, this Oscar season can't help but include another comic book movie in the conversation. While technically Avengers: Endgame is still being discussed, most prognosticators are awaiting the first screenings from Venice Film Festival of director Todd Phillips' The Joker, which is being pushed as a surprise contender. At this moment, it's an exciting alternative, if just because it finds Joaquin Phoenix finally joining the superhero genre after over a decade of provocative and memorable arthouse roles. What could he possibly bring to the role that is worthy of this much praise? As the final trailer would suggest, he is probably the only thing worth remembering in this marketing.

Don't get me wrong. I love Joaquin Phoenix, who has an incredible track record over the past decade in spite of not being nominated for an Oscar since 2012's The Master. If anything, his curriculum makes another nod feel overdue. It's also what makes The Joker all the more appealing. One has to wonder what he sees in the role that defies conventional genre tropes that likely has kept him out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? In fairness, Phillips is trying to push it as a dark and gritty take that differs from the D.C. Extended Universe that currently exists. This is a bold and new take, and one that feels buried in the '70s and 80's Martin Scorsese gangster imagery.

This isn't a bad thing but does raise some skepticism as to how authentic and enjoyable it's going to end up being. Many filmmakers have aped the Scorsese style in recent years that it's become a popular debate to argue whether anything can compare to the real Scorsese. In 2013, Scorsese released the divisive The Wolf of Wall Street opposite David O. Russell's American Hustle, the latter of which got flack for its similarities to the elder director's new film. One can't help but imagine that this will be the case in 2019 when The Joker plays opposite The Irishman, both featuring Robert de Niro (who was also in American Hustle). If nothing else, it will lead to one of the more exhausting debates of the fall season.

Beyond that, the new trailer clarifies a few things that are both exciting and a bit disheartening:

On one hand, it's one of the boldest takes on The Joker character since Heath Ledger's turn in The Dark Knight from 11 years ago. He remains the only actor to win an Oscar for playing a comic book character. That gives The Joker more of an edge over more iconic figures like Batman or Superman. It's also worth mentioning that Phoenix has the clout to pull of a memorable performance given his recent track record. Phillips, the director, is the odd man out because all he's done is mostly frat comedies where people get drunk and wake up confused. Ironically, his last film (War Dogs) is yet another Scorsese-lite film that failed to take off. Still, there's room to appreciate what it's doing differently from every other film at the moment. That's... something.

The only issue is that whereas American Hustle and War Dogs can be accused of being Scorsese-lite without recalling one specific movie, The Joker feels more and more like a very specific Scorsese movie. The King of Comedy is one of his less appreciated masterpieces that found de Niro playing a psychopathic comedian who kidnaps the host of a late-night show in order to appear on the show. While it doesn't look like a direct copy, the fact that The Joker is going onto a talk show after likely weaseling his way in does look a tad suspicious. It could be something more, but this trailer does little to reassure that it'll differ greatly. The only value is that it could be a commentary on the media and praising these demented outcasts, which is something valuable in modern film discussion. I just wish that it didn't seem so much like a rip-off of a flawless film.

The Joker remains a wild beast and one that will be curious once the reviews drop. Will the film be any different from other recent D.C. movies, which have ranged from fun and silly (Shazam!) to socially empowering (Wonder Woman) to demented garbage (Aquaman)? It's said that it doesn't fit into that series of films, which is a relief of sorts. Still, there is going to be a big conversation not only of the film's quality, but how Phoenix compares to the other Jokers. Will he be able to stand out in a line-up? It's hard to say at this moment. Still, Phillips has a bold take on the character that stands to be very interesting. It just has to do more than imitate Rupert Pupkin though.