AHK Cinema · Movie Review
Joker
2019 Dir. Todd Phillips 122 minBest for CEFR C1
Explore the gripping origin story of the Joker, a film that delves into the mind of a troubled comedian turned chaotic force in Gotham City.
Things You Didn't Know
6 hidden details
1
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix lost 52 pounds for the role of Arthur Fleck/Joker. His dramatic weight loss was a key part of his transformation into the character. Phoenix's dedication to the role is a testament to his commitment as an actor.
2
Inspirations
The film was inspired by the works of Martin Scorsese, particularly *Taxi Driver* and *The King of Comedy*. These influences are evident in the film's themes and cinematography.
3
Comedy Club
The comedy club scenes were filmed in a real club in New York City. The club's atmosphere and setting added to the authenticity of the scenes, making them feel more realistic.
4
Score
The film's score was composed by Hildur Guðnadóttir, who is the first solo female winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Score. Her score perfectly complements the film's tone and atmosphere.
5
Awards
Joker received widespread critical acclaim, winning several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix's performance. The film's success is a testament to its impact and influence.
6
Box Office
Despite its dark and unsettling themes, *Joker* was a commercial success, grossing over $1 billion at the box office worldwide. The film's success can be attributed to its unique storytelling and performances.
The Takeaway
The takeaway from Joker is that it teaches viewers about the dangers of neglecting mental health and the consequences of a society in decay. For English learners, it's recommended to watch the scene where Arthur performs at the comedy club with subtitles, as it showcases his initial struggles and provides insight into his character. This scene is particularly useful for learning vocabulary related to comedy and performance.
The Learning Pack
Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.
Vocabulary, idioms, cultural context, and one scene broken down for shadowing practice.
Vocabulary (16)
mesmerizing
earlyextremely interesting or attractive
"The fireworks display was mesmerizing."
haunting
middleremaining in your mind and making you feel sad or scared
"The haunting melody stayed with me long after the concert."
tragic
latevery sad or unfortunate
"The tragic story of the hero's downfall moved the audience to tears."
captivating
earlyattracting and holding your attention
"The captivating performance of the lead actor made the play a huge success."
commentary
middlea set of opinions or explanations about something
"The social commentary in the film was thought-provoking and timely."
vibrant
middlefull of energy and life
"The vibrant colors of the painting made it stand out in the gallery."
decay
latea state of deterioration or decline
"The city's infrastructure was in a state of decay due to lack of maintenance."
neglecting
middlefailing to care for or pay attention to something
"The company was neglecting its responsibilities to the environment."
consequences
lateresults or effects of something
"The consequences of not studying for the exam were severe."
dedication
earlya strong commitment to something
"The athlete's dedication to training paid off when she won the championship."
authenticity
middlethe quality of being genuine or real
"The restaurant's authenticity was evident in its traditional cuisine."
atmosphere
middlethe feeling or mood of a place
"The atmosphere of the party was lively and festive."
testimonial
latea statement or expression of praise
"The company used a testimonial from a satisfied customer in their advertisement."
influence
middlethe power to affect someone or something
"The book had a significant influence on the author's writing style."
impact
latea strong effect or impression
"The new policy had a significant impact on the company's profits."
unique
earlyone-of-a-kind or special
"The unique design of the building made it a landmark in the city."
Idioms & Expressions
in a state of decay
in a condition of deterioration or decline
describing the city's infrastructure
pay off
to produce a successful result
talking about the athlete's training
stand out
to be noticeable or prominent
describing the painting
make a huge success
to achieve great success or popularity
talking about the play
thought-provoking
making you think deeply or carefully
describing the social commentary
Cultural References
Gotham City
a fictional city in the DC Comics universe, often depicted as a dark and corrupt place
Batman
a superhero in the DC Comics universe, known for fighting crime in Gotham City
Martin Scorsese
an American film director, known for his gritty and intense movies
Taxi Driver
a 1976 film directed by Martin Scorsese, known for its dark and thought-provoking themes
Scene Breakdown for Shadowing
around 00:42:00
Arthur: 'I just wanted to make people laugh.' Comedian: 'You're not funny, Arthur.' Arthur: 'I am funny.' Comedian: 'No, you're not.' Arthur: 'I am.'
This scene showcases Arthur's struggles as a comedian and his desire to make people laugh. The vocabulary used in this scene, such as 'funny' and 'laugh', is useful for learners to understand the context of comedy and performance. The idioms used, such as 'make people laugh', are also worth noting. To practice shadowing, learners can try repeating Arthur's lines, focusing on his tone and intonation. This will help them improve their pronunciation and fluency.
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