Todd Phillips’ film stripped away the comedic book origins of its iconic title character, instead posing a haunting question: what if a regular man in 1980s Gotham decided to don clown makeup? What appears to be a pressing concern, particularly for those surrounding Bruce Wayne’s character, is whether issues will unfold if adult Batman were to encounter his younger self in this unique film. In line with his direction of Todd Phillips, the latter believes Arthur Fleck would likely view Batman as a tidy figure. (You’re shocked, I’m certain.)
Phillips explained how Arthur would be starstruck by Batman’s alpha persona. As he delves into the subject, Arthur is fascinated by men’s comfort, much like his own colleagues and the charismatic Murray Franklin, played by Robert De Niro in the original film. Why shouldn’t that extend to Batman as well? Perhaps this Batman is cognizant of Arthur Fleck’s tragic backstory, specifically the circumstances surrounding his parents’ untimely demise, which likely had a profound impact on their son’s psyche; however, he may choose to focus on fostering hope and redemption rather than dwelling on past traumas?
The incident culminated when Arthur’s composure finally gave way, resulting in him shooting Murray in the face on live television, thereby demonstrating that even fascination has its limits. Notwithstanding Phillips’ feedback, it gets at a singular point: Arthur’s propensity for swift emotional investment, whether romantic or platonic in nature. However Warner Bros. may lack enthusiasm for crafting nuanced subtext between sentences into clear written content, or at least not exceeding what was previously achieved in 2017. As Arthur’s track record with people goes, it’s likely that pairing him with someone who embodies the essence of both a jester-like figure and a battle-hardened warrior – a character seasoned enough to physically discipline him – would inevitably yield a tumultuous love affair.
hits theaters on October 4.
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