Oscars and Others …
Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ was an obvious Oscar winner on quality and political depth, likewise the acting ability of Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker’. I didn’t see Rupert Goold’s ‘Judy’, but have been told by numerous others that Renee Zellweger was fab and deserved her lead actress award.
I’m not, however, going to celebrate Renee. Instead I’m going to celebrate our Australian Hollywood IT girl and Oscar nominee Margot Robbie – a contender with Jay Roach’s ‘Bombshell’ but whose most recent Australian release – Cathy Yan’s ‘Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)’ has just put a new DC comic figure on the map and totally validated this young actresses global rise and rise. From ‘Bombshell’ to cartoon character, with numerous other triumphs, Robbie has the ability to bring any character to life.
Now Harley is the girlfriend ….Oops, that’s ’X’ girlfriend of the Joker. If you can imagine Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier from the television series ‘Hannibal’ dating Hannibal Lector in a far more camp script, you have an inkling of the psychology of Harley and Joker's relationship … PhD psychologist falls for criminal psychopath patient and all she has to do is have an acid bath to prove her true love …. but that's another story.
Post Joker, Harley is going through what any girl goes through when dumped by a man who is under her skin … tears, screaming, denial, lots of alcohol …. until comes the epiphany. She can actually be her own twisted self in Gotham City and doesn’t need a man's approval. Go girl!
I won't investigate the plot for you as it is delightful and I don’t want to be the spoiler. However, every bit of text-book analysis about abusive childhoods, abandonment, border-line personalities, etc., that was played so horrifically straight in 'Joker', is played for dark fun here, and totally justifies ‘Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)’s 'R' rating.
Margot Robbie is fantabulous. She owns the film and is Harley Quinn to a twisted, damaged, psychotic tee ... with a heart of gold.
A little taste:
Cassandra Cain: 'Oh, you're that psycho chick.' Harley Quinn: 'You never call a woman chick. I'll accept 'broad', 'lady', 'woman', and on occasion 'bitch'.'
Do go see with your favourite girl or boyfriend!