As a film critic who has spent years dissecting the intricacies of cinematic storytelling, I must admit that the enigmatic relationship between Arthur Fleck and Lee, as portrayed in Joker: Folie à Deux, left me utterly captivated. The transformation of Lee from a vibrant dreamer to a weary, disillusioned woman seemed to mirror the gradual descent of Arthur into madness, creating a haunting parallel that underscored the brutal reality waiting for Arthur at the end of his journey. It’s as if the final vestiges of Arthur’s own fading dreams were giving way, paving the path for the chaos and destruction yet to come.
Contains spoilers for “Joker: Folie à Deux”
As a gamer, I can’t hide my excitement as the infamous Joker returns in “Joker: Folie à Deux”! Director Todd Phillips has cooked up another serving of Gotham’s craziest clown, and this time he’s got some company – none other than the enigmatic Lady Gaga. Stepping into the shoes of Harley Quinn is no small feat, especially after Margot Robbie’s stellar portrayal, but Gaga’s taking on the role with her unique flair as Lee Quinn.
In unison, an eccentric duo, who seem to have lost their sense of normality, stir up yet another wave of turmoil in Gotham City post the blockbuster triumph of Phillips’ 2019 Oscar-winning movie. The story concludes as somberly and ominously as the initial film. Similar to “Joker,” there will undoubtedly be many devoted viewers with their unique interpretations about the sequel’s conclusion and its deeper implications. Throughout the chaos, confusion, and disorder during Gotham’s most significant trial, one wonders how much of it was merely a product of Arthur’s disturbed mind. Furthermore, is Harley Quinn, who redefines her iconic character in this film, more trustworthy than she appears?
Arthur Fleck’s demise begin with the tears of a clown
It’s hard to argue for the trial of your life when you’ve been living a lie for the latter half of it. That’s the conclusion that Arthur eventually reaches and declares to the world, shattering the illusion that his followers have been invested in ever since his fateful appearance on “The Murray Franklin Show” in the first film. Now, Fleck admits to the court that there is no Joker — it was Arthur all along, and he not only committed the murders he’s on trial for, but he killed his own mother as well. The confession seals his fate and leads Lee to turn her back on the man she seemingly fell in love with. In the end, just like every other clown in makeup who either stood on the court steps or took a seat at the trial, Arthur wasn’t the man they idolized — Joker was.
This portrayal of the Joker is moving even further away from the classic comic book character that fans cherish, fear, and adore. Unlike the cunning mastermind who crafted a strategy to escape death row, this version appears to be a consequence of a flawed system, someone who has lost everything necessary to maintain his facade. Similar to Batman (who is not present in this narrative), the Joker serves as a symbol born from one person’s tragic past and whose illusions continue to persist, even including a new romantic interest that may inspire just as many fan speculations as before.
Joker Folie à Deux finally clears up a Joker fan theory by igniting another
In the movie “Joker,” there was a question among viewers about the fate of Arthur Fleck’s female associates, particularly Sophie (played by Zazie Beetz). The ending left some wondering if Arthur had a hand in her death, but “Folie à Deux” clears up this mystery by showing that she survived and is now testifying as a witness. During the trial, she shares details of her interactions with Arthur’s mother and the deception of his neighbor to keep him content. This revelation seems to be the final straw for Arthur, causing him to abandon his facade, but it also signals a potential premature end to his relationship with Lee.
Just as there was speculation about Sophie’s survival in the previous episode, similar questions arise concerning Quinn’s fate. After being left by Lee at the courthouse, Arthur reaches out to his ex-love, singing a song over the phone and leaving a message on her answering machine. Meanwhile, we see Lee pointing a gun at Quinn before the scene shifts back to Arthur, who having discarded his Joker persona, faces sentencing. This climaxes in an explosive manner.
Lee Quinn and Arthur’s romance was just one big joke
Following Arthur’s sentencing, Gotham’s notorious jester manages an escape reminiscent of his police-escorted exit after the murder of Murray Franklin. As in the original movie, he abandons the vehicle and makes a beeline towards the well-known staircase – a place where Lee might be waiting for him, or perhaps not.
Following their reunion, Arthur implores Quinn to escape together, but she refuses. Instead, she informs Fleck, “It was a dream, and you let it go. You admitted it yourself, ‘I’m not the Joker.'” This underscores that Quinn had no genuine feelings for Arthur, but rather the character he momentarily embodied, which many were captivated by.
Despite appearing devoted to constructing a mountain, it’s clear that Quinn’s creation was based on deception. The truth about her institutionalization in Arkham Asylum and the authenticity of her pregnancy were both fabrications. In fact, Quinn consistently misled Arthur. Her true affection seemed to be reserved for the Joker. Fans may ponder whether Lee was truly there to meet Arthur, but that remains uncertain.
Was Lee’s last appearance all in Arthur’s head?
In this movie, there’s a lot of time spent exploring Arthur’s dreams, leading one to ponder just how much of his real-life experiences intertwine with these dream worlds. It’s clear that when the intense light appears, we’re fully in Arthur’s mindscape, but does that encompass his last encounter with the woman he deeply loves? Just as viewers were left questioning if Sophie survived her ordeal with Arthur in the initial film, they now find themselves debating whether Lee received all of Arthur’s message, or had she ended her life before he finished speaking?
When Arthur ends his charade as the Joker, Lee abruptly departs from the trial, saddened by her love returning to his normal state and abandoning their shared fantasy. Later on, she points a gun at her own head, though we don’t witness the act, it doesn’t necessarily mean she didn’t go through with it. This scene adds another layer of mystery that aligns perfectly with the enigmatic nature of their relationship and the overall uncertainty running throughout the film.
Could Joker’s end lead to the beginning of a new one
Despite the overwhelming illumination during “Joker: Folie à Deux,” it was quite evident who would ultimately end Arthur’s life before reaching the execution chamber. Known as Connor Storrie’s character on IMDb but simply referred to as Young Inmate in the film, this individual had a more maniacal grin than Arthur throughout the storyline. Thus, when he ended up killing him prior to the credits, it was hardly unexpected.
The final scene implies that the storyline can be open to various interpretations, much like the previous movie. Some viewers might view this as reminiscent of Nolan’s trilogy, where John Blake (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) inherits a role that had impacted Gotham significantly – in this case, not the Caped Crusader but a new character who could be the next Joker. The chaos in Gotham may only escalate under this new Joker, given his permanent grin. However, Todd Phillips has confirmed he won’t participate in any future installments of this storyline.
Joker: Folie à Deux marks a last laugh for director Todd Phillips
Upon hearing about Arthur Fleck’s return in a new chapter, a natural question arose: Was another installment of this Joker version truly necessary? Initial responses to “Folie à Deux” seem to indicate no, but if there’s potential for delving into this universe once more, director Todd Phillips will not participate.
To The Hollywood Reporter, Phillips indicated that he might not revisit the world without Fleck (Joker), potentially focusing on Quinn instead. However, he expressed that this isn’t where his story for this universe is going next: “This movie isn’t primarily about me heading in that direction. I feel like my journey in the DC Universe was completed with these two films.
At present, it’s clear that this particular Joker won’t be laughing anymore, as his laugh was grim and ominous. We’ll have to wait another two years to find out if Barry Keoghan reprises his role as the Joker in “The Batman Part II”, following his brief scene of mirth with Paul Dano’s Riddler in “The Batman”. Although there’s no official word on whether he will indeed return to stir up trouble for Robert Pattinson’s Batman, it seems highly probable, doesn’t it? Since Gotham City just wouldn’t feel complete without a Joker lurking around.
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2024-10-04 02:30