Quentin Tarantino Loved Joker 2, Calls It a ‘F**k You’ to Hollywood & DC

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As a seasoned cinephile with over three decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must admit that I find Quentin Tarantino’s affection for Joker: Folie à Deux rather intriguing. To be fair, it’s not every day we come across a film that manages to divide audiences as effectively as this one has done.

It turns out that Quentin Tarantino, the renowned filmmaker, is a fan of “Joker: Folie à Deux”, a sequel to the 2019 movie “Joker”. Despite the fact that most moviegoers disliked the sequel, there are still some who appreciated its aimless narrative, which climaxed with the surprising death of Arthur Fleck (played by Joaquin Phoenix). In an interview on The Bret Easton Ellis podcast, Tarantino expressed his support for the film, claiming that it was directed by none other than the Joker himself.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker said (per World of Reel):

As a film enthusiast, I must say I was absolutely captivated by it. My anticipation was high, hoping for a cinematic masterpiece that would leave me awestruck. However, I initially believed it might be an analytical journey rather than an emotional ride. Yet, what unfolded surpassed my expectations. Instead of feeling detached, I found myself deeply engaged, and although I wouldn’t necessarily call it a traditional ‘movie’, I appreciated its unique essence in a way that words can hardly express.

Bret Easton Ellis, known for writing books like “Less Than Zero,” “The Rules of Attraction,” and “American Psycho,” had a conversation with Quentin Tarantino. This chat sparked Tarantino’s curiosity so much that it propelled him from his home to the cinema. For Tarantino, it was the upcoming film “Joker 2” that drew him in: he found it intriguing.

I have a touch of nihilism that allows me to appreciate films with structural flaws. To others, these might appear chaotic or disorganized. However, this movie wasn’t an intellectual challenge for me. Instead, I was fully immersed in it. The musical segments particularly captivated me, and the more ordinary the songs seemed, the more I enjoyed them.

Quentin Tarantino Compares Todd Phillips to the Joker

It’s undeniable that Quentin Tarantino has an impressive collection of films under his belt, but some might question his taste in movies. Interestingly, the mastermind behind iconic films like “Pulp Fiction” and “Inglourious Basterds” is openly admiring Todd Phillips for his work on the controversial sequel to “Joker,” going so far as to praise Phillips’ choices. In fact, Tarantino has gone as far as comparing the filmmaker to the movie’s titular character in a recent interview.

Todd Phillips embodies the character of The Joker not just in role, but also in his approach to directing the movie. He spends the studio’s funds as recklessly as the Joker would, and his unexpected prank – a handshake that delivers an electric shock – is reminiscent of the antics comic book enthusiasts might find amusing.

In this gripping review, I boldly declare that Todd Phillips has crafted a movie that’s essentially flipping the bird to everyone – from the film audience to Hollywood itself, down to the shareholders of DC and Warner Brothers. This film, much like the iconic character it portrays, is undeniably a masterpiece by Phillips, making him the modern-day Joker. After all, “Joker” the movie, isn’t that an apt description for this groundbreaking work?

Tarantino notes that while the initial Joker is influenced by Martin Scorsese’s iconic Taxi Driver, Folie à Deux appears to openly draw inspiration from the 1994 film Natural Born Killers starring Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis. As he tells Bret Easton Ellis, “This feels like it’s heavily influenced by Natural Born Killers, which I wrote. That’s the Natural Born Killers I would have loved to see…

The movie “Joker: Folie à Deux” is still showing in theaters, but for those who’ve missed it or want to evaluate Tarantino’s perspective, Todd Phillips’ controversial take on the Joker character can now be streamed on digital VOD platforms such as Fandango at Home. If you’re interested in watching “Joker 2,” it’s available for rent at $19.99 or purchase at $24.99. However, it would be more cost-effective to catch Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga’s on-screen partnership in theaters, especially during matinee shows.

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2024-10-30 00:03