Joker Oscar Chances: Joaquin Phoenix enters the race for Best Actor

Black Panther went into history earlier this year by becoming the first superhero movie to win an Oscar nomination for best film (and won three wins), but we could have another cartoon adaptation in the trophy race this season: Joker. Some were surprised when Warner Bros. announced that The hangover and Dogs of war director Todd Phillips'R-rated spin on the iconic villain was world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, but Joker had the last word when the film won the first prize of the festival. Now Joker was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, where I was fortunate to see the drama of characters who truly bother, and I can personally attest that it will probably be in conversation with the Oscars.

The biggest blow Joker a at the Oscars is Joaquin Phoenix, which is really amazing in the lead role of Arthur Fleck. The film itself is a psychological study related to Taxi driverand Phoenix controls the frame every second on his screen – which is quite a feat, because it is literally in all scenes. Joker is essentially a story of origin for the titular character, but Phoenix follows his descent into madness in grotesque and heartbreaking details.

The Academy loves good physical transformations, and Phoenix disappears into Fleck. He is thin and sometimes takes the form of a gargoyle resembling that of Quasimodo, and his turn of laughter of the Joker is unforgettable in the worst case. Yes Joker claims to be an annoying twist, macabre, R-rated on the villainous Batman's most iconic story – the Big Bad to end all the Big Bads – and then Phoenix provides exactly what is needed to create this new iteration of the character. After Heath LedgerThe Oscars Tour The black Knight It was impossible for anyone to give the character a more iconic twist, but Phoenix gives the best of himself.

The unique quality of Phoenix's performance is made possible by the autonomous nature of Jokerand, in fact, it makes it quite different from most other superhero movies. This is also why the movie as a whole probably has a better idea of ​​the fight for rewards than other superhero movies from previous years. Free from the constraints of building a franchise, selling toys or games for young viewers, Joker is pungent, violent and disturbing. Again, this looks more like Taxi driver than Wolverineand movies like Black Panther, Logan, and dead Pool have gone beyond the constraints of the superhero genre in the past, nothing is comparable to the psychological trauma described in Joker.

Consideration in categories beyond the best actor is certainly possible, especially if the film is a hit. The price of the Venice Film Festival has been enormous for strengthening the reputation of the film as a viable candidate. In case of real success at the box office, it will only help his chances and keep it in the news throughout the key months of the Oscars.

Joker Phillips, who has designed a beautiful movie here and continues to focus on Phoenix's performance. If the film is a hit with the voters of the Academy, I would not be completely shocked to see him fall in the conversation with the best director. The best adapted scenario is also possible, although despite the notation, Phillips and the co-author Scott Silver did not draw comics apart from the basic qualities of the main character.

The trades across the board are impressive and deserve to be examined. Hildur Guðnadöttir The original score is obsolete, beautiful and sometimes downright terrifying – it's one of the best of the year. Lawrence Sher's cinematography is elegant and concentrated, always keeping Arthur in the frame. And it is certainly a candidate to consider in the categories Makeup and Hair and Costume Design.

It's hard to be too confident about anything at this early stage of the rewards race, but I'd be stunned if Phoenix was not in the best actor's conversation. Beyond that, it depends in some way on the Joker is received commercially and by criticism in general – does the Academy accept it? Is this going well on the circuit of the pioneering awards (SAG, DGA, etc.)? Yes, he could certainly win a nomination for the best movie. But it could also be a better actor and two craft nominations.

Joker Does it have a major plus that many other Oscar contenders need to work during the season: everyone speaks. This is a topic of conversation and, although many editorials and news reviews will certainly be written about the film's themes and its more important implications after its theatrical release in October, it will only keep it even longer in the film. news. And with prestige recognition in his back pocket after Venice, the prospects are promising.

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