Batman (1989): Jack Nicholson's The Joker/Jack Napier

I recently had a discussion with a friend of mine about Jack Nicholson's performance as The Joker and came to an interesting disagreement. As a child when I saw the film, his performance coupled with Burton's overall eerie tone terrified me. Every time he hit the screen with that smile I felt shivers up my spine. I couldn't keep that scene with the plastic surgeon out of my head. The reveal of his mutilated face coupled with the comic-bookey zeal was fantastic in my eyes. Not to mention the masks, and strange henchmen always encircling him. Or how about the scene in which he incinerates his former boss?

Our discussion became one over the realism of Nicholson's performance. Obviously as an actor he is often "campy" or very exaggerated in his approach to performance. However, despite the "campy" nature of this film and the character himself, I still felt every bit as terrified. I doubt I would be nearly as fearful now with the passing of age, but at the time: He was the iconic Joker in my eyes.

His performance was no doubt fantastic-acclaimed throughout most of the media and I think very much agreed upon by the fans. Although the question emerged: Can one be "campy" and yet still maintain a sense of terror as he did for me? I bring this up now with the coming of the latest silver screen incarnation of The Joker in Nolan's new film: The Dark Knight-A much more realistic approach to how a serial killer might be portrayed as opposed to the "campy" version in Burton's film.

But, honestly, what's wrong with being "campy" in a batman film? Furthermore, I really feel that despite that "campy" feeling in Batman (1989) Nicholson's performance was still terrifying.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

 

Jack's Joker, despite being a great character imo, has about as much in common with the comics Joker as Adam West's Batman does. On that alone, I don't like Jack's Joker.

The comic-book joker is hannibal lecter without the class.

 

I'll just point out that I didn't say his character was an accurate portrayal of the comic-book character. I said he was my iconic Joker. He was the first "Joker" I ever really knew.

Carry on.

 

He was great, and not campy at all. He actually killed people. It wasn't the lame sixties show where they all sat around.

 

The 60s show Joker was my first Joker. Jack's Joker was my second. And yes, I liked the Jack Nicholson Joker. Even though I prefer Nolan's take on the BATMAN franchise, Burton's take on it wasnt half bad. I also think it is cool that he was such a serious guy before he became the Joker. When his face got disfigured, he had to pretend that he was a happy laughing smiling man, when you know he realy isnt. I think that is one thing that makes it freaky. But I think I will like Ledger/Nolan's Joker better.

 

When I think of the Joker, I think of a combination of a few comics' depictions, and a bit of the animated version thrown in. The Killing Joke is an especially good Joker story. He's just absolutely evil, and he does it all smiling. We do see hints of some small part of him that wasn't like that, but it's far, far, far too gone.

The "Mask of the Phantasm" Joker was good too. Mark Hammill has that voice down to a science. That version's a little sillier, and less deadly, but Paul Dini's Detective Comics run shows he can write him without the boundaries of his cartoon counterpart, and it's chilling.

Nicholson steals the show in Batman, probably too much, but he stole it being very good at the role. This is a man that's incredibly disturbed, sometimes genuinely funny, and generally heartless. I do believe it's also the only role of his where I can at least sometimes forget that I'm watching Jack Nicholson.

Nolan and Ledger have their work cut out for them, as audiences already have Jack's interpretation in their minds. But I think they'll make it work. I'm hoping.

 

The best DCAU Joker was Mark's work in the Return of the Joker Batman Beyond film, imo. I bought that about a month ago; I can see why WB wanted them to edit it originally

 

Jack as the Joker is one of the biggest annoyances for me. Jack played Jack, not the Joker. That entire film makes me cringe. People mock Schumacher for ruining the series, but I never saw what was so great about the series. Returns IMO was the only one worth a damn.

 

^What he said. I was disappointed by Batman in general, and Nicholson in particular. His Joker is hammy and ridiculous, not sinister at all. Subtlety should not be a dirty word, even in comic-book movies.

 

I loved Jack Nicholson as the Joker, and I'm sure I'll also enjoy the Heath Ledger version because he's also a great actor.

I'm openminded to enjoy all kinds of performances and interpretations. There's room for everything.

 

Total agreement. Jack doesn't get the Joker.

Subtlety? There's nothing subtle about the Joker. He's a deranged clown who sets up elaborate and gimmicky deathtraps to kill lots and lots and lots of people. Jack's problem wasn't that he was too hammy and ridiculous, it's that he was too restrained and grim. The Joker should be a ball of totally OTT manic energy and demented gallows humor, just totally gleeful in his ability to kill lots and lots of people. It's the contrast between the garish and over-the-top wackiness and the utterly ruthless killing of lots and lots of people (have I mentioned that yet?) that makes the Joker so compelling.

Strangely, Jim Carrey's performance as the Riddler in Batman Forever was a better Joker than Jack was, even if it was a terrible Riddler.

B:TAS, with Mark Hamill as the Joker, nailed the character perfectly, and even provided him with the perfect sidekick we didn't even know was missing until she showed up. Harley is such a crucial part of the Joker mythos now that it's hard to imagine a Joker without her.

 

Hamill's over the top voice was more grating than Nicholson's.

 

Nicholson's wasn't grating. It was sleep inducing. He was so low key player the Joker that he felt too suave and cool. Its a shame because I watch the Shinning and see a truly menacing and terrifying performance and wonder what went wrong. Hammil's performance had dimension; Joker was a lunatic yet still comical but all the time menacing. He is, to date, my favorite incarnation (beyond Batman Dead End). I pray Ledger can sway me his way though.