Following in the footsteps of actors like Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger and Jared Leto, Joaquin Phoenix is the latest actor to take on the intimidating role of Joker. Hangover director Todd Phillips has taken a swing at an origin movie for the clown prince, and we get to explore Gotham City in 1989 before Bruce Wayne even put on the cowl and became Batman. Although Phoenix is absolutely mesmerizing on-screen, the movie itself definitely raises some questions. Like are there any parts of it that aren’t inspired by or lifted from Scorsese movies like The King of Comedy and Taxi Driver? Who was even filming in that comedy club? And what exactly is this movie trying to say? (thetvdb.com)