As a longtime comic book enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of the Joker through various adaptations, I must say that Todd Phillips‘ decision to deconstruct the character and present Arthur Fleck as an unwitting icon rather than the Clown Prince of Crime was nothing short of a masterstroke. The revelation in “Joker: Folie à Deux” not only resonates with the real-world criticisms faced by the film, but also mirrors the complexities and struggles of the character that have captivated audiences for decades.
Warning! The Following Contains SPOILERS from Joker: Folie à Deux.
Contrary to popular belief, Arthur Fleck is not portrayed as the Joker in Todd Phillips’ movie. This surprising revelation was made by the director following the underwhelming performance of the film “Joker: Folie à Deux” at the box office last weekend. However, it should be noted that Phillips had previously hinted that his interpretation of the character might not be the authentic version of the DC Comics’ Clown Prince of Crime. Regrettably, this disclosure by the director doesn’t rectify the problems faced by the sequel, as it was made after its release. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Phillips elaborated on Arthur’s identity crisis, culminating in his rejection of the Joker persona.
He acknowledges that he has always been Arthur Fleck, not the character others in Gotham have imposed upon him. He feels like an unintentional symbol. This role was thrust upon him, and he no longer wishes to continue living as a façade. Instead, he yearns to be true to himself.
In essence, the term “Folie à Deux” refers to a situation where reality and art mirror each other, particularly in relation to the Joker character. The movie, however, was met with disapproval by many critics and viewers due to the contentious creative choices made by Phillips. One of these decisions included portraying Arthur’s interpretation of the iconic comic book character in a way that was not well-received.
In the movie, the consequences are particularly severe. Not only does Arthur lose the affection of Harley Quinn, as portrayed by Lady Gaga (in this version), but the film’s protagonist is brutally killed by an individual who seems destined to climb the criminal hierarchy in Gotham City and eventually assume the role of the true Joker.
The Method Behind Arthur Fleck’s Madness
Folie à Deux” is not unexpected. Critics have criticized director Todd Phillips for bold decisions in this sequel, but the movie’s structure fulfills its purpose. Throughout the film, we witness the dismantling of Arthur Fleck, whereas the initial Joker (2019) movie focused on transforming a damaged character into his iconic DC Comics persona.
In the movie “Joker’s Partner,” Arthur Fleck’s planned character development takes center stage at a crucial court hearing, where the mistreated and disenchanted convict discovers what he believes to be the truth. Director Phillips further discussed Fleck’s epiphany in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, as stated below:
Arthur came to understand that everything is so deeply corrupted, there’s no hope for change. The only solution, as he saw it, was to destroy the system entirely. When those guards murdered the child at the hospital, it solidified his belief that his attempts at reform – dressing up and pretending – were pointless and ineffective.
In an unexpected twist that echoes Heath Ledger’s Joker’s chilling laughter upon brutally killing Arthur Fleck, Todd Phillips’ “Folie à Deux” stumbles towards its conclusion in a disappointing manner for ardent fans of the Criminal Clown. It’s important to note that despite “Joker 2” launching as the top-grossing film during its premiere, the filmmaker’s decision to create a story centered around Joker without the actual character may significantly impact the sequel’s financial success at the box office.
Joker: Folie à Deux is now playing in theaters.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-09 00:01