The Joker Scores

I'm still trying to take in all of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight -- a movie I watched just a few days ago in IMAX-- and this is a good thing. A very good thing. The movie sticks with you, gets under your skin in ways that surprise you hours later and, even better (or worse, depending on your mood) makes you ponder everything from the hypocritical nature of mankind to current politics to...ah yes, the tragic loss of Heath Ledger -- something that's even more potentely poigant while watching this wonderfully dark picture.

As I had mourned earlier in an essay on Ledger, we've lost one of the greats. (So be warned, this isn't exactly a strict movie review, but a celebration of Ledger's performance. I keep recalling James Dean's brilliance in his last movie, Giant, a picture in which he too revealed his transformative powers by going from gorgeous young man to bitter, old drunk.)

The usual suspects are present of course: a fantastic Christian Bale -- one of the greatest actors working -- as Bruce Wayne, the legendary, sweet Michael Caine, the wonderfully understated Gary Oldman (playing a nice guy -- I love it) and the always perfect Morgan Freeman (can that man possibly achieve a bad performance?). Also appearing is Maggie Gyllenhaal, who replaces Katie Holmes as Rachel Dawes (Gyllenhaal is a vast improvement -- intelligent and slinky -- you totally understand why a guy who can get whatever he wants, wants her). There's also Aaron Eckhart as District Attorney Harvey Dent -- primed to become Two Face and again, a brilliant, crazed and yet, oddly soulful Ledger.

Which brings me to the heart of the, at times, sublime The Dark Knight -- as Ledger's Joker shows us (and forces upon Harvey Dent), the world is a place of two faces, of darkness and light, of organization and chaos. Gotham City's criminal underbelly is a reflection of a world we sometimes walk through with willfull ignorance, not realizing we are part of such chaos and destruction. Or, at the very least, we allow it to happen around us -- as long as we're warned.

The Joker doesn't want us to be warned -- he thrives on chaos, cannot be bought and has no glorious plan. He's the Tyler Durden of Super-villains and, as such, will become something of a cult figure with this character. His philosophy isn't exactly a new one (watch some film noir for prime examples) but Nolan and Ledger make it fresh and inspired. And since these ideas are universal, it's hard to not understand where The Joker is coming from. At times (and this might be a stretch for some, but not for me) it's even hard to dislike him. At times I fought the urge of punching my fist in the air in anarcharic solidarity -- Ledger's Joker is my new evil hero. He's a psycho sexy beast of destruction. Believe the hype -- he's that great.

Bale is terrific in The Dark Knight, but this is Ledger's movie all the way. Watching him watch the world burn, I couldn't help but think... damn if he couldn't have returned to burn it down a little more.

Comments

[Hana]

Great post, now I'm even more amped to see it tonight. Heath is incredible, its going to be hard to see him so alive...

happy weekend
xCC

[Harvey]

The magic trick is the part that really draws the line in the sand.

My jaw dropped.

All bets are off after that.

And that nurse ... wow ....

Watching Ledger's Joker I was reminded of another villain -- the crazed cop in "The Professional."

It wasn't until at least a minute or two later that it occurred to me that the crazed cop in "The Professional" is now Commissioner Gordon.

[Jamie]

"He's the Tyler Durden of Super-villains"

Perfectly stated.

I was expecting a lot from the Dark Knight and Ledger's Joker and for once my expectations were met. Great stuff all around.

[Jeremy]

I was completely blown away by this film. So much so, that I can barely talk about even a couple of days later. There is just so much to it that I know that it will only get better with repeated viewings.
As far as Heath..I am still broken up about his death and thought this was among the most masterful performances of the decade. It's funny, but I thought of Dean in GIANT as well...Heath's performance and the film both already feel like a legend.

[Stewart]

If anything, credit should be given to a villain who can remind us of all the "fun" that can be had with pencils...
But seriously, this is definitely the best of the Batman films by far. And having the best villain (I want to see him get turned into hamburger, but I don't want him to. Oh, the conflict!) in recent cinematic history (at least this year) doesn't hurt either.

[George Schmidt]

Nice work as always Kim - you are my cinematic soulmate;marry me! - such a performance I only wish to add (and I forgot in my own review) he had a touch of Cagney's Cody Jarrett from WHITE HEAT - one of the best film gangsters ever and a remarkable performance too - ; only can say for Ledger to paraphrase: "Made it Ma! Top Of The World!!!"

for DARK KNIGHT:

http://imdb.com/title/tt0468569/usercomments-934

FOR ALL MY REVIEWS:
http://imdb.com/user/ur0937743/comments

[Shawn]

Well, the film definitely matched the "epic in scope" hype I'd heard about it (I was also lucky enough to catch it in Imax and, sitting in the second row, I felt a sense of “You Are There” as the movie unfolded). For me, possibly the most valuable aspect of Ledger's great, risky performance is the sense of fun he infused in the part. The movie lives up to it's title, but amid the Joker's warped, wince-inducing antics, a perverse sense of fun ("You complete me" will never sound the same) shaded all of his diabolical deeds, thanks to Ledger’s brave, twisted take on the character (and I wondered if Ledger at one point was cleverly paying homage to another great silver screen creep, as his phrasing of “gen-tle-men” when he crashes the party sounds almost exactly like Margaret Hamilton’s take on the word in “The Wizard of Oz”). The film needs the touches of humor Ledger brings to his role, as the proceedings get fairly grim on a regular basis, and the fun balanced against the sadism is welcome. I’m sure plenty of tots- and some adults- were scared sh--less last weekend, though, as the Joker is no cartoon in Ledger’s hands- he’s the real, evil deal. The actor vividly conveys how much the Joker gets off on his murderous rampages- his only goal is to cause death and destruction wherever he goes, and Ledger never once softens the character. Put this Joker in a cell with Hannibal Lector, and it’s a draw as to who makes it out alive.

Concerning the Oscar buzz, Ledger should be considered lead, as the Joker certainly takes center stage during the second act, and Ledger dominates all his scenes, but this may be a case wherein a studio places a performer in the category he or she is more likely to win. I think Ledger could pull off the win in either category, but Supporting Actor might be a surer thing (although it’s too early to tell how the nominee frontrunners will shape up, and who Ledger’s prime competition will be in either category). Personally, I hope Warners goes with Ledger for Best Actor, and he wins.

For me, the film’s greatest mystery was Nestor Carbonell’s makeup as the mayor- what the hell was up with that eyeliner? I kept wondering if the Mayor also was a super hero (or villain) outside of his office hours- perhaps as “Teresa the Transvestite” he also watches over Gotham City, taking out foes with a single bitch-slap.

[Jack]

I saw it at the Chicago Navy Pier IMAX, and it was an incredible experience. Nolan obviously is very meticulous in crafting his films, yet it's great to see Ledger and the rest of the cast taking an already impressive script to the next level through their acting. I also can't stop thinking about the film. Great write up Kim. This article is yet another example of why I regularly visit this site. Keep it up.

[MovieMan0283]

You onto something with the "anarchist" comment - in fact, it's Joker who empowers people (albeit in warped ways) and Batman who is an elitist, believing that the people of Gotham need to be protected from the truth and from themselves. I reviewed the film recently: http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2008/07/dark-knight_21.html and discussed the political subtext. If anyone would like to join (or rather, start) the discussion please come on over and comment; the blog is new and as of yet there are no discussions but I'd like to see some get started.