After watching the latest "superhero" movie, "Suicide Squad," I came out of the theater having thoroughly enjoyed the character of Harley Quinn, played by Margot Robbie and a little less, the Joker, played by Jared Leto. I've always really liked Harley Quinn–I actually dressed up in her original costume for Halloween last year. Likewise, I've always liked the Joker as a character, as Batman's main big bad. However, there's no denying that the Joker and Harley Quinn's relationship is anything but twisted. He mentally abuses her (literally driving her insane) and physically abuses her, as shown in both older depictions of them as well as "Suicide Squad."
I am in no way advocating that kind of relationship, and it pains me knowing that people will come out of the movie romanticizing the two of them. Still, I think the way that "Suicide Squad" depicted their relationship was interesting compared to others.
From what I remember in the "Batman: The Animated Series," the Joker doesn't really seem to genuinely care for Harley. He manipulates her and uses her only when she's useful, otherwise brushing off her romantic advances toward him. She's just another pawn in his game. In "Suicide Squad," we only see the Joker for two reasons: His part in Harley's backstory and him trying to get Harley back.
Never would I imagine the animated Joker from the Batman series to go to such lengths to get Harley. Maybe if she had something valuable information or items on her, but never for just herself. I thought this was an interesting decision on the part of the movie makers. Apparently, a majority of the Joker's scenes were cut from the movie, so the fact that these are the only ones left further impressed on me that he was solely used to build up Harley's character, rather than Harley being used as just some accessory to the Joker as I worried she might be.
That being said, I really liked the way the movie makers portrayed Harley. It showcased not only her fearlessness and fighting abilities, but her emotional motivation and intellect. She loves the Joker, there is no doubting that. She gave away her life for him. But then the Joker is taken from her and the Enchantress offers him back. Harley is smart. She knows the Enchantress is probably full of it. Yet, if there's an inkling of a chance that she can get Mr. J back, don't you think she would take it? I thought she just might. But nope. Harley Quinn, a woman driven insane by love for a madman, chooses to throw away a possible chance to get her puddin' back just to defend her newfound friends.
People may not have been happy with "Suicide Squad," but for its portrayal of one of my favorite DC characters, I sure was happy.
