Summary

The website provides an in-depth analysis of the 2019 film "Joker," breaking down its story beats, plot points, and character development of Arthur Fleck.

Abstract

The article "I Breakdown the Story Beats of Joker (2019)" offers a detailed examination of the narrative structure and character arc of Arthur Fleck, the protagonist who becomes the Joker. It outlines the film's genre as crime, drama, and thriller, and presents the logline, which encapsulates the transformation of Arthur Fleck from a struggling, mentally ill comedian into the iconic villain known as the Joker. The article delves into the opening image, acts, sequences, and plot points, highlighting key moments such as the inciting incidents, midpoint, climax, and resolution. It also touches upon the themes of childhood trauma and alienation, and how societal neglect and personal revelations contribute to Arthur's descent into madness. The analysis includes the impact of Arthur's actions on Gotham City and the broader societal implications, as well as the evolution of his relationship with his mother, his idol Murray Franklin, and the public at large.

Opinions

The article suggests that the portrayal of Arthur Fleck's transformation is a powerful commentary on societal issues such as mental health and social inequality.
The author implies that the film's narrative effectively uses plot points to catalyze character development and escalate the story's tension.
The analysis conveys that Murray Franklin's show plays a pivotal role in Arthur's journey, serving as both an inspiration and a catalyst for his ultimate breakdown.
The article posits that the public's adoption of the clown persona reflects a broader societal unrest and serves as a mirror to the protagonist's internal struggle.
The writer indicates that the revelation of Arthur's childhood trauma and the subsequent questioning of his reality are central to understanding his psyche and the Joker's origin.
The piece hints at the complexity of Arthur's relationship with his mother, Penny Fleck, and how her secrets and instability contribute to his unraveling.
The author seems to appreciate the film's ability to intertwine personal tragedy with the larger narrative of the Joker's rise, suggesting a deeper psychological exploration beyond the typical superhero genre.

I Breakdown the Story Beats of Joker (2019)

What are the plot points?

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller Logline: In Gotham City, mentally troubled comedian Arthur Fleck is disregarded and mistreated by society. He then embarks on a downward spiral of revolution and bloody crime. This path brings him face-to-face with his alter-ego: the Joker. (IMDB) Theme: Childhood Trauma/Alienation

Opening Image

In 1981 Gotham City, Arthur Fleck, party clown, sits away from the crew, gets ready for his act. He stares at his reflection in the mirror, tries to smile, and breaks down emotionally.

ACT I

SEQUENCE 01: STORYWORLD & INCITING INCIDENT

Setup

Clown Arthur does his job, dances with the signboard in front of a shop. A gang (teenage bullies) makes fun of Arthur, attacks him in an alley, and breaks the signboard.

Confrontation

Arthur is an aspiring comedian who suffers from a pathological condition that causes him to laugh during peaks of stressful situations. He depends on social services for medication.

Arthur is broke, lives with his old mother, Penny Fleck, and takes care of her.

Arthur seeks a father figure. He idolizes popular television host Murray Franklin and dreams about being in the Murray Franklin Show.

Resolution

Co-worker Randall gives Arthur a gun for protection.

Inciting Incident 1: Randall gives Arthur a gun for protection.

SEQUENCE 02: PREDICAMENT & POINT OF NO RETURN

Setup

The employer warns about cutting the paycheck if Arthur fails to return the signboard.

Confrontation

Arthur pursues a relationship with his neighbor, single mother, Sophie Dumond. He invites her to his upcoming stand-up act at a nightclub.

While clown Arthur is doing his act at a children’s hospital, the gun falls out of his pocket.

Randall lies to the employer that Arthur bought the gun himself.

Arthur gets fired from the job.

Resolution

Clown Arthur gets beaten up by three drunken Wayne Enterprises businessmen on the subway. Arthur shoots the three men in self-defense and runs away.

Plot Point 1 (Break into Act 2): Arthur, in clown makeup, shoots the businessmen.

ACT II

SEQUENCE 03: RAISING THE STAKES

Setup

Arthur becomes jobless. The train shooting incident spread as a clown killed those three men.

Confrontation

Billionaire mayoral candidate Thomas Wayne condemns the train shooting. He makes a broad statement, “those envious of more successful people” and “they are clowns and cowards.”

Thomas Wayne’s comment triggers the public to protest against him with the clown mask, identical to Arthur’s clown makeup.

Funding cuts shutter the social service program, leaving Arthur without his medication.

Resolution

Sophie attends Arthur’s stand-up, which goes poorly; he laughs uncontrollably and has difficulty delivering his jokes.

Inciting Incident 2: Arthur bombs on stage.

SEQUENCE 04: MIDPOINT

Setup

On the date night, Sophie tells Arthur that the clown killer is a hero. Arthur sees the public wearing the clown mask inspired by the incident.

Confrontation

Arthur intercepts a letter written by Penny to Thomas, claiming that he is Thomas’s illegitimate son, and confronts his mother for hiding the truth.

Arthur goes to Wayne Manor, where he meets Thomas’s young son Bruce Wayne.

Arthur flees after a scuffle with the family butler Alfred Pennyworth.

Arthur returns home and finds out Penny suffered a stroke and was hospitalized.

Two Gotham City Police Department detectives investigate Arthur’s involvement in the train shooting, and Arthur denies it.

Resolution

Arthur and Sophie look after Penney, and she leaves to grab a coffee. Arthur sees on television Murray Franklin mocks Arthur by showing the clip of his stand-up disaster.

Midpoint (Major Plot Point): Murray Franklin mocks Arthur by showing the clip of his stand-up disaster on his show.

To understand why this particular plot point worked, read the Character Study of Arthur Fleck.

Joker (2019): Character Study of Arthur Fleck

The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose. — James Baldwin

rajaneeshwar.medium.com

SEQUENCE 05: SUBPLOT & RISING ACTION

Setup

Arthur sneaks into a private screening and confronts Thomas. He tells Arthur that Penny is delusional and not his biological mother and Thomas beats Arthur and kicks him out.

Confrontation

Arthur has mental illness without the medication and by the events around him.

Arthur gets an invitation to appear on Murray’s show because of the disaster stand-up clip’s unexpected popularity.

Arthur visits Arkham State Hospital and steals Penny’s case file.

The file reveals Penny adopted Arthur as a baby and allowed her abusive boyfriend to harm them both.

However, Penny claims that Thomas used his influence to fabricate the adoption to hide their relationship.

Resolution

Arthur finds out the truth about his abusive childhood.

Inciting Incident 3: Arthur uncovers the truth about his abusive childhood.

SEQUENCE 06: MAIN CULMINATION

Setup

Arthur returns home distressed and enters Sophie’s apartment unannounced. Terrified, Sophie tells him to leave; their relationship was solely a figment of Arthur’s imagination.

Confrontation

The following day, Arthur kills Penny at the hospital.

After Penny’s funeral, ex-colleagues Randall and Gary visit Arthur.

Arthur stabs Randall to death but spares Gary for treating him well in the past.

Resolution

Arthur dresses up as Joker to visit the Murray Franklin Show, dances in the staircase.

Plot Point 2 (Break into Act 3): Arthur visits the Murray Franklin Show as the Joker.

ACT III

SEQUENCE 07: NEW TENSION & TWIST

Setup

On his way to the studio, Arthur is pursued by the two detectives onto a train filled with clown protesters.

Confrontation

One detective unexpectedly shoots a protester and provokes a protest, letting Arthur escape.

Arthur requests Murray to introduce him as Joker, referring to Murray’s previous mockery.

Murray plays the clip before introducing Arthur, who feels humiliated again by the clip.

Arthur walks out to applause, confesses to the subway murders, and rants how society abandons the downtrodden.

Resolution

Arthur gets angry and shoots Murray Franklin.

Climax: Arthur shoots Murray Franklin.

SEQUENCE 08: RESOLUTION

Setup

Arthur gets arrested.

Confrontation

Cops take Arthur to the station in the car middle of the protest.

Cop’s car gets crashed, the protesters cheer Arthur, who is in clown makeup as a Joker, to get up from the unconscious.

Simultaneously, someone in the clown mask shoots Thomas Wayne and his wife Martha Wayne in front of their son Bruce Wayne, saying the exact quote Arthur said to Murray — “You get what you fucking deserve.”

Resolution

Arthur is back to consciousness, and the crowd cheers for him. Arthur becomes The Joker.

Resolution: Arthur becomes The Joker.

Final Image

Arthur, in the asylum, talks to the psychologist. What is real?

Joker (2019)— Plot Points

Setup:
In 1981 Gotham City, Arthur Fleck, party clown, an aspiring comedian who suffers from a pathological condition that causes him to laugh at inappropriate moments. One day he gets beaten up by a gang of teenage bullies in an alley.

Inciting Incident 1:
Co-worker Randall gives Arthur a gun for protection.

Plot Point 1 (Break into Act 2):
Arthur, in clown makeup, shoots three businessmen in self-defense and runs away.

Inciting Incident 2:
Arthur bombs on stage (stand-up).

Midpoint (Major Plot Point):
Arthur's idol Murray Franklin mocks him by showing the clip of his stand-up disaster on the Murray Franklin Show.

Inciting Incident 3:
Arthur uncovers the truth about his abusive childhood.

Plot Point 2 (Break into Act 3):
Arthur visits the Murray Franklin Show as the Joker.

Climax:
Arthur shoots Murray Franklin.

Resolution:
Arthur becomes The Joker.

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