Long before it was released Todd Phillips’s Joker was shaping as the most controversial film this year in the US. The big sticking point is the portrayal of the famous super villain as a sad, mentally-disturbed loser driven to breaking point by a series of unhappy breaks that would have shredded Job’s fortitude.

Arthur Fleck is one of life’s victims. In his 40s he lives with his invalid mother (Frances Conroy) in a seedy apartment block in Gotham City. He imagines a future for himself as a stand-up comedian but he’s scary rather than funny. Arthur has a mental problem that causes him to laugh hysterically when under pressure – and every day brings new pressures.