Still, this origin story for Batman’s archnemesis looks serious, even though it was directed by Todd Phillips, best known for humorous fare like the “Hangover” trilogy. Hauntingly scored with Jimmy Durante’s version of “Smile,” the trailer shows Fleck dancing with his mother (Frances Conroy), dressing as a clown and getting brutalized by thugs, and being hit by a cab. A “Taxi Driver” vibe permeates the clip, with Phoenix delivering a Travis Bickle-style voice-over about the decline of Gotham City: “Is it just me, or is it getting crazier out there?” When Robert De Niro shows up as a Johnny Carson-esque talk show host, the scene seems to pay homage to another Martin Scorsese movie, “The King of Comedy.”

Source: New York Times April 03, 2019 14:46 UTC