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Yavin4

(35,354 posts)
Thu May 24, 2018, 10:34 AM May 2018

Patton Oswalt's theory on the origins of Heath Ledger's "Joker" in "Dark Knight" will blow your mind

I’ve always liked the theory that Heath Ledger’s Joker in Christopher Nolan’s DARK KNIGHT is a war veteran suffering PTSD. His referencing a “truckload of soldiers” getting blown up, his ease with military hardware, and his tactical ingenuity and precision planning all feel like an ex-Special Forces soldier returned stateside and dishing out payback. I love films that contain enough thought and shading to sustain post-screening theorizing like this.

But I just re-watched THE DARK KNIGHT, and another wrinkle came to mind about The Joker.

What if he’s not only ex-military, but ex-military intelligence?

Specifically — interrogation?


https://www.facebook.com/pattonoswalt/posts/10156000703002655
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Patton Oswalt's theory on the origins of Heath Ledger's "Joker" in "Dark Knight" will blow your mind (Original Post) Yavin4 May 2018 OP
Seems worthy of consideration N/T tonekat May 2018 #1
There are a lot of ex-military guys who wouldn't like that hypothesis. Aristus May 2018 #2
Is this the picture? Fla Dem May 2018 #3
That's the one. Aristus May 2018 #4
Patton's theory was that the Joker was some sort of Military/CIA interrogator, not a regular GI. nt Yavin4 May 2018 #5
The Joker often disavows any planning ability gratuitous May 2018 #6

Aristus

(66,075 posts)
2. There are a lot of ex-military guys who wouldn't like that hypothesis.
Thu May 24, 2018, 11:58 AM
May 2018

My father was a Vietnam veteran, and suffered pretty badly from PTSD. He abhored the common depiction of Vietnam veterans on TV and in the movies back in the 70's and 80's as ticking time-bombs, violent abusers, murderers, rapists, or otherwise homeless, unemployable losers.

He had a thriving career and earned close to a six-figure salary. One of his proudest moments was when that famous artistic depiction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was published in poster form. It shows a middle-aged man facing the Wall and mourning his lost comrades, who are shown as ghosts in the reflection from the Wall. My Dad was so proud that the veteran was depicted as obviously successful, wearing a natty suit and carrying a briefcase. He hung that poster up in a place of honor in his home office.

He wouldn't like the idea that the violent anarchist in 'The Dark Knight' was some kind of twisted combat veteran.

Fla Dem

(23,339 posts)
3. Is this the picture?
Thu May 24, 2018, 01:21 PM
May 2018


Thanks to your Dad for his service. My brother also served and thankfully survived.

Yavin4

(35,354 posts)
5. Patton's theory was that the Joker was some sort of Military/CIA interrogator, not a regular GI. nt
Thu May 24, 2018, 04:17 PM
May 2018

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)
6. The Joker often disavows any planning ability
Thu May 24, 2018, 04:30 PM
May 2018

"Do I look like a guy with a plan? I'm like the dog chasing a car; I wouldn't know what do with one if I caught it!"

For me, the Joker is the anti-Batman (not terribly original), but he also has the same unlimited resources that billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne has. Instead of buying all his hardware, vehicles, and other gadgets, the Joker "wins" them by winning over allies and stooges, even reluctant ones. Through a combination of personal charisma, guts, and ruthlessness, he gains adherents in numbers sufficient to overwhelm his opposition.

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