We have a better "Joker" origin film than Hollywood, it's Manila in the Claws of Light
Comparing Lino Brocka's Manila sa Kuko ng Liwanag (1975) to Joker (2019) or Taxi Driver (1976), I think our version is just so much better. My baseline: How do you make a sane man insane?
Taxi Driver's visuals are technically better, but Brocka's film hits hard because of the dark realities of exploitation and poverty, comparing it to the protagonist of Taxi Driver who experienced alienation. Both films are great, but when it comes to the obstacles, Julio Madiaga (the protagonist) has it harder.
Joker (2019), I didn't really feel the weight of making him turn insane, that's why Taxi Driver is always mentioned in the discussion of that film.
u/Realist_Reserved — 12 hours ago