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Was Jack Nicholson's Joker "too normal" prior to his transformation?

posted 5 years ago by TMC-4 (19576)
12 replies | jump to latest

http://www.manic-expression.com/a-look-at-10-actors-who-were-the-joker/

Nicholson brought the character into the 80’s. By taking Romero’s wacky Joker and dialing him nit a notch, in a way only Nicholson could! The make-up was pretty amazing for 1989 too. However there is one big problem with this version that bugs me. When he we fist meet Jack Napier (his alter ego in this version) he is waayyy to normal. In order for the character to work he needs to be a tragic figure before anything pushes him over the edge. In this version is perfectly reserved, so in hindsight is flipping out after the change is a little harder to believe. Does this mean this is a bad version? Oh hell no.

I mean when we first see Nicholson as Jack Napier, he's really just a sleazy gangster, nothing more, nothing less.

https://www.quora.com/What-are-your-thoughts-on-the-psychologies-of-the-three-movie-Jokers-Nicholson-Ledger-and-Phoenix/answer/Anthony-Murlin

[–] AlbaGuBrath (38) 4 years ago

I like it to be fair. I think the want for the Joker to be bat sh*t crazy every time will just lead to the same recycled versions and result in some very hammy performances. I think we have a good mix so far! Romero very over the top, Nicholson sorted of a cold but flamboyant character. Ledger unnerving and mysterious and JP damaged and unhinged.