The old saying goes, “it always gets darker before the light” and Batman’s second film in the re-imagined film series certainly proves this. The film gives a new name to gritty and realism, as people are harmed in Batman’s battle against Gotham’s mob and important characters are killed. When a psychotic villain called the Joker arrives on the scene, all bets are off, as no one is sure who‘s side he is on - more likely his own. Heath Ledger’s performance as the clown of crime is everything you’ve already heard about it - career defining, creepy, a total reinvention of the character. This film is a dark piece of cinema, along the lines of Nolan’s prior thrillers “Insomnia” and “Memento”, and is not appropriate for young children. This is not your father’s Batman, he is instead a conflicted character that emulates our complicated world.
As audiences saw in 2005’s “Batman Begins”, a new criminal mastermind has begun robbing banks in Gotham - and he leaves behind a calling card with a Joker on it. Its learned that most of the banks being robbed are holding money for the mob, thereby pitting one lunatic against organized crime. Batman, his trusted police contact Lieutenant Gordan, and the new district attorney, Harvey Dent, have formed a trifecta to eradicate the mob in Gotham once and for all. The mob has no choice but to turn to the other haunted character in their lives, who claims he has a plan to kill Batman. In Joker’s city-wide reign of terror, innocents are killed to prove a point, and new villains are created from the most unlikely sources.
Nolan has created a film with so much going on, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, that there is not a boring or unnecessary scene in the film. It may be a little overlong but what do you cut out? There are also a plethora of issues that Nolan wants the audience to grapple with as Batman is trying to understand them. Do you negotiate with a terrorist, to save lives? Are people generally good or bad, when the chips are down and their lives are in jeopardy? Are there boundaries you won’t cross to fight the bad guys and what happens when those villains have no rules? And ultimately the question the film leaves you with, do people need hope more than they need the truth? Batman tries to answer this for himself in his actions, but there are repercussions to even his most well-intentioned decisions. Nolan does not let the audience off the hook, as we are conflicted with choices made by the heroes and are left unclear about what we would do in such a situation.
The actors were all wonderful in their roles, as the casting has been first rate in both films. Aaron Eckhart brings a passion to his role as Harvey Dent and the audience and even Bruce Wayne begins to like him and want him to succeed. Eckhart’s relationship with Bruce’s former flame, Rachel (Maggie Gyllenhaal) creates hurdles between the two men, as well as with Bruce’s alter ego. Even Bruce staunchest allies, his Butler Alfred, his techno-friend Lucius, and Lt. Gordon, are torn by the chaos around them and have their own moral boundaries tested. Finally, Ledger steals the show with his terrifying, yet darkly comical take on the Joker. I hung on every word he had to say and how he said it, looking for clues to his elaborate plans and an understanding of the creature beneath. Joker remains an enigma throughout the film, Batman’s absolute opposite, and a worthy adversary. I can think of nothing more appropriate than honoring Ledger with an Oscar nod for his convincing portrayal of a lunatic with a grudge.
While “The Dark Knight” may not be for those looking for lighter, feel good cinematic entertainment, those who substance to their superheroes will be impressed with the world Nolan and co. have created.