All Jokes Aside

When I go see a movie, I make up my mind before hand to check my common sense at the door.  I mean – I already know that the movie may not be just like the book, the animals are bigger, the fangs larger and the blood flows faster.  I know that what’s happening on the big screen is fiction and directed for our entertainment. As a matter of fact, I quite enjoy slipping into a world of fantasy every now and again.  A world where the muscle-bound hunk avenges his dog’s death by shooting, stabbing and bludgeoning his adversaries.  That’s why some of us go to the movies, right? To be entertain, to slip into the land of make believe. Big screen entertainment has been around for a long time and it will continue to entertain for years to come.  But friends, something different happened to my movie experience this week.

This past Friday, I was invited to see The Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix.   Like I said earlier, I like a good movie and I’m no wimp when it comes to blood & gore, but this movie left me feeling a type of way.  I’ve seen all of the Batman movies and know that the Joker character is a tad bit crazy. We know from previous movies that the Joker is known for 3 things:  his laugh, his dance and his killing. Those things were definitely in this movie, but what I wasn’t prepared for was the depiction of his of mental illness.  We’re use to seeing the Jack Nicholson degree of Joker-ism, but this was something different.

The acting of Phoenix was truly remarkable because during these 122 minutes, I witnessed Schizophrenia, Depression, Delusions, Narcissism, PTSD, drug addiction, and there were probably other mental health issues I completely missed. When I say, Phoenix did the darn thing, HE DID THE DARN THING!

For those of us who work with patients suffering from Mental Illness, we know how debilitating the diseases could be, but what this movie emphasized was the frustration and loneliness the sufferer endures.  At one point in the movie, Arthur (the Joker’s real name) states “I feel like I didn’t exist until I did.” He lived in a world that did not see him, as with most people with a mental illness.

Without giving away too much of the movie, I’d like to propose a question.  What would the movie had been like if the Arthur had one friend?  A friend who would check on him when he hadn’t heard from him in a day or two.  A friend who would invite him to events, although he’d decline many times in the past.  A friend who would point out his delusions.  A friend who would bring him his favorite food.  A friend who would come visit or invite him to go places he’d like.  If Arthur had that one friend, what difference could that have made in his life?

I’m not naïve enough to think that friendship is the end all/be all for mental illness; however, I am courageous enough to think that friendship and a positive connection with another human has a centering effect on the person suffering.  This centering effect could make the difference between a person committing murder and that same person walking away from a volatile situation. 

What would the world look like if we all made the decision to have positive interactions with the people we encounter? The truth be told, the person seated next to us could be Arthur.  The person driving on I-285 trying to merge may be Arthur.  The person who jumped in front of you in line at the grocery store could’ve been Arthur.  The person standing alone at the church function is Arthur.

My challenge for you for this season, is that in everyday situations, instead of unconsciously defaulting to selfishness, let’s intentionally, without fanfare, make someone else’s path smoother.  There are grand gestures that people flaunt on social media all the time.  That’s not what I’m talking about.  What I’m challenging you to do is so much simpler. The smallest acts of kindness would do so much for the Arthurs of the world. If you’re out there thinking, “What can I do?” Well let me tell you some simple acts of kindnesses.

• At the grocery store, let someone ahead of you if they have one or two items.

• Smile and say hello to people who cross your path…. even those who don’t look friendly (They may just have a resting sour face.).

• Let that car merge in traffic…yeah, I know he sped up just to get in front of you.

• When you ask someone, “How are you doing today?”; stop and listen to the answer, then ask a follow up question if you have time.

• If you’re at a function and notice someone seated/standing alone, go over and say hello. They may be shy and may feel uncomfortable approaching others.

• Compliment, compliment, compliment.  Offering a compliment cost you nothing, but it may mean so much to the Arthurs of the world.

In the times we’re living now, I heard someone saying “We’re going to hell in a hand-basket.” I certainly pray that we don’t, but y’all know what? We can choose not to be grouped with those who don’t mind being in that hand-basket!!!  Let’s do our part to make this world a decent place for everybody, not just for the few who may be more fortunate.  In the movie, Arthur was not one of the fortunate ones and with his mental illness, he became The Joker.  Let’s do better by the Arthurs of the world, so that we may have less jokers in the world!

At the beginning of this post, I mentioned that I was invited to the movies and since this was not a date, I paid my own way.  I have to tell ya’ll that I was shocked by the ticket prices at this theater.  I only paid $3.77 for my ticket.  Yes, I went to the 11am show, but they also have $4.49 tickets before 4pm.  This was at the AMC North Dekalb 16. 

I don’t know if the other AMC theaters have that same pricing, but I was happily surprised at this price.  So, if you’re planning to see The Joker or any other movie, check out the AMC North Dekalb 16.  You’ll be happily surprised too…. Well maybe not surprised, but happy!

Thanks for stopping by!