There are different ways of interpreting Joker : Folie a Deux but my gaze always remains a tragedy. This is where the film falters in – with its title that paints a completely different picture for the viewers. Folie a Deux basically means a mental illness (in this case madness) shared by two individuals wherein the character of Arthur (Joaquin Phoenix) meets and instantly falls for his alter ego Lee (Lady Gaga), even as they form a fantasy of their own which is drastically different from their individual realities. But that wasn’t necessarily the core of the film that was essentially Arthur’s internal conflict with his identity crisis with respect to his more famous appearance of the Joker that he dons, both physically and mentally. And the screenplay standing at nearly 140 minutes does deep dive into this very sentiment even at the risk of blurring the lines of reel and real with respect to the impressions of Joker in the minds of the viewers that has been formed over the years.

Right from its animated montage at the beginning of the film, the tone of the drama is set on what to expect. You see a mild and playful depiction of the Joker who visits a theatre for a performance before creating chaos around him. This, even as there are versions of his identity that appear around him, mostly standing firm in his support but equally contributing to the chaos. Soon, he finds himself trapped while being beaten to pulp while laying in a pool of blood, supposedly dying a lonely death. This was such an interesting start given how the first film dealt into the darker realms of the psyche of Arthur and focusing on his journey to be the Joker. Yet, this drama focuses on the reverse effect of the undoing of the Joker and its journey to become a more believable and wickedly grounded Arthur, that you see in a prison. There are prolonged sequences wherein Arthur barely utters a word while going about his chores quietly, a stark contrast to the eccentric traits of the Joker who often is a living masterclass of chaos. And this was the makers’ way of preparing the viewers of the road that lies ahead.

One of the innovative facets of the drama is that it is a musical with psychological undertones to accompany the narrative. So even as Arthur bumps into Lee, a character who he believes is his soul mate of sorts (perhaps also a spin off on Harley Quinn), Lee is also enamoured by his personality. The two do develop an eccentric bond filled with fantasy wherein the music acts as a form of hope and escapism for Arthur in many ways. Yet, the core of the drama does lie in the trial of Arthur for the murders which he had previously committed, even as Arthur himself undergoes a conflict with respect to his identity. One thing to keep in mind is that Arthur in his purest form has always been a loner whose existence is of no importance at all. And hence, his ‘put-on’ act as the Joker was also a form of escapism (just like the music here that highlights his inner turmoils and fears). But, the adulation that he did receive was majorly for the Joker, and not Arthur himself, a meta-conflict that extends to the impression of the viewers as well. I mean ask yourself – who would you rate higher in terms of your affinity, the lonely Arthur or the flamboyant and eccentric Anti-Hero, the Joker.

Quite honestly, there is a Joker in all of us even as we continue to live our lives as Arthur, often lonely or restricted to your closed ones while secretly aspiring for adulation in contrast to the world that isn’t even aware of your existence. And this conflict is highlighted through the trial wherein Arthur’s eccentric perception  of himself (The Joker) slowly begins to tilt after the testimony of his sole supporter from his work place, Mr Puddles (Leigh Gill) who admits that he is scared of this version of him (The Joker). The proceedings might be niche because of the sentiment it is trying to establish that may not be a popular one, but if you are committed to the journey of Arthur you will be fully invested in it. This was true for the final act as well which was unexpected and rather brave of the writers. Not only did this push the boundaries of this very sentiment, it allowed you to empathize with the protagonist who decided to just be himself. This was pretty much in lines with what we are programmed to do versus what we actually wish to do, something that often ends with a heartbreaking tragedy of loneliness. The commentary on the society was stark and sharp while deliberately being ignorant of an individual’s personality leading to an ending that will further divide the viewers. The fact that I am still thinking about it meant that the poignant yet shocking ending was nothing but a masterclass for me.