The Joker of SLO County
Aaron Ochs is the author of “Defamers: How Fake News Terrorized a Community & Those Who Dared to Fight It,” a nonfiction uncovering the defamatory, deceptive and criminal practices of online tabloid CalCoastNews.
WARNING: “Joker” spoilers ahead
“Joker” is about a deranged man named Arthur Fleck, a clown performer and aspiring stand-up comedian who slowly descends into pure madness. The descent is accelerated by the grimness of early 1980s Gotham City society. Fleck’s growing psychosis externally manifests itself into his violent, psychopathic alter-ego: The Joker. Joaquin Phoenix is brilliantly haunting in his performance as he portrays a man who’s constantly at the end of his rope, laughing uncontrollably at inappropriate times as he surrenders himself to a world of negative thoughts and stillborn ambition.
“Joker” wasn’t exactly the movie I thought it would be. The hype and anticipation wasn’t up to par with the script, which forced “Joker” star Joaquin Phoenix through an escalating series of bad situations with no pause for reflection or humanity. Nonetheless, Phoenix’s performance was riveting.
It made me think of someone I know.
Fleck had a mental tic of laughing during inappropriate times. When he was placed in an awkward or fight-or-flight situation, he would laugh. The idea behind this…
