I didn't think I would like it so much. I had a lot of empathy with the title character and this is due both to the script that knew how to build his past and personality very well, as well as the performance of Joaquin Phoenix (seriously, if this guy does not win the Oscar, he deserves to be nominated at least) . This Joker is just another victim of a cruel society and the film can show this cruelty of people very well. Every time he gave those uncontrolled laughs, I could see his suffering behind. Joaquin rocked.