The People’s Joker Blu-ray Review
“The People’s Joker” is a bold and creative film.
Written by Vera Drew and Bri LeRose, “The People’s Joker” is a biodrama of sorts about Vera Drew’s own life told through the framework of a parody of the Batman and DC Universe. The story chronicles the life of Vera Drew (who also stars in the film as Vera/Joker The Harlequin) from childhood to adulthood.
We (the audience) discover that when Vera saw “Batman Forever” (which doesn’t go by that name in the movie for obvious legal reasons), Vera’s own gender identity came into question. Unfortunately, Vera struggled with hidden feelings, judgments (including that of Vera’s parents), and prescribed drugs that essentially became an addiction. Vera found an escape through comedy (specifically UCB Live) and decided to pursue a career in comedy.
Years later, Vera eventually moves to Gotham City which is a bit of a dump after the Cyber Wars. Vera initially auditions for UCB but struggles greatly leading the wannabe comedian to create an anti-comedy group with another aspiring comedian (The Penguin). Through this new journey, Vera’s life changes further upon meeting Mr. J (a transgender man named Jason Todd) and transitioning into a woman herself and going by the name Joker The Harlequin. Mr. J and Joker’s romance blossoms, but their relationship proves to be toxic. Wanting to make a name for herself, Joker The Harlequin hacks the UCB Live broadcast and ends up becoming a host, but is that what she really wants or needs in her life?
After originally screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, “The People’s Joker” was in limbo and was almost barred from being released due to legal issues. Thankfully, the audacious Queer cinema comedy is now seeing the light of day and will hopefully be discovered by audiences across the globe.
To say director Vera Drew’s film is a breath of fresh air sells it short. There’s so much going on within this clever, visual, colorful, and downright surreal film that it’s difficult to absorb with a single viewing. The Joker/DC parody aspect may be getting the limelight, but really that’s just the backdrop. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of observant and amusing references to everything from “The Dark Knight Returns” to Prince’s “Party Man” song, but at its heart this is a personal story about Drew becoming a transgender woman. It’s a deep story about identity, fears, trauma, fantasy, corporations, and repression.
The direction is also quite noteworthy here with its stylish and bold mix of animation, CGI, blue screen, toys, video games and live-action actors. It’s clear that Vera Drew’s background in working on Tim and Eric programs came into play heavily here as the film often feels like a Tim and Eric sketch in terms of its oddball comedy/anti-comedy approach (not to mention the spoofs of trashy television).
Cast wise, Vera Drew, Lynn Downey (Vera’s mother), Kane Distler (Mr. J), Nathan Faustyn (The Penguin) and Tim and Eric stalwart David Liebe Hart (Ra’s al Guhl) are the main players, but expect bit parts from Maria Bamford, Bob Odenkirk, Scott Aukerman, Tim Heidecker, and Robert Wuhl either in acting or voice acting roles. Drew gives a strong performance essentially telling her own life story in a very unique fashion. Given that she wrote, directed, starred in and edited the project, there’s a definite DIY feel to it all in the best way imaginable. It feels like a true pioneering indie film.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 2.39:1 1080p. How does it look? The hi-def transfer does wonders for the experimental film.
Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? While not quite up to 5.1 standards, this track still delivers.
Extras:
* A zine by Vera Drew telling her story and the film’s journey to release.
* Commentary by Vera Drew, commentary by Vera Drew and actor Nathan Faustyn and a commentary with around 20 various cast and crew members.
* Original theatrical trailer and trailers for “The Wild Boys,” “She Is Conann,” “A Dim Valley,” and “Dressed In Blue.”
* Behind-The-Scenes gallery
* “A Discussion With Director Vera Drew, Willow Catelyn Maclay and Caden Mark Gardner”- Critics Maclay and Gardner have an insightful 47 minute video chat with Vera Drew. Discussions range from The Joker, movies, trans cinema and more.
* The full “Suicide Cop Pilot” and “Serve The Date” segments from the film in full.
* “Anatomy Of A Scene Featurette”- Vera Drew gives a behind-the-scenes look at the making of various sequences.
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