I Can’t Stop Thinking About Joker 2, Joaquin Phoenix And Lady Gaga’s Provocative Sequel That Changes How I Feel About The First Movie

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As a seasoned film enthusiast who’s seen more than a few superhero movies, I must say that Joker: Folie a Deux has left me with a peculiar mix of emotions. Coming from someone who has watched the evolution of the anti-hero genre, I can confidently say that Todd Phillips and Scott Silver have certainly swung for the fences, as they promised.

Todd Phillips cautioned us as a small assembly of film critics convened in a Burbank cinema to preview his eagerly awaited sequel, Joker: Folie a Deux – an intriguing title for a continuation of a contentious, award-winning origin tale about a villain. We were the initial audience of strangers to witness what Phillips, co-writer Scott Silver (The Fighter, 8 Mile), and star Joaquin Phoenix had created. And Phillips wanted to lay the groundwork, informing us that he was doing so

As a fan, I can tell you that when creating a sequel, it’s essential to bring something new to the table while still preserving the essence of the original. For instance, The Hangover Part II was a sequel to The Hangover, offering fresh jokes in a familiar setting

Surprisingly enough, Joaquin Phoenix’s filmography doesn’t feature any sequels, dating back to the 1980s with notable movies like Walk the Line, Gladiator, The Master, Signs, and Beau is Afraid. When I saw Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie a Deux, I expected a more conventional sequel. However, I should have recalled that Phoenix isn’t one for repeating roles. Instead, Phillips and Silver tailored the script to suit their leading man’s instincts

As Phillips went on to tell us, prior to our screening of the film:

Joaquin expressed to me, ‘I won’t do it unless I’m just as terrified as I was the first time.’ … He was truly terrified in the initial film, which is what you want from an actor. However, since he no longer feels that way, he’s hesitant about this sequel because the fear subsides. This leaves us puzzled. We weren’t afraid during The Hangover Part 2 to the same extent. For this movie, we aimed to be scared again. So, we essentially wrote a script that made us all feel apprehensive. In essence, we crafted a script that would evoke that fear for Joaquin

The movie took an astonishing, unsettling, absolutely unforeseen turn to the left, reminiscent of the path set by “Joker,” yet it reverses the storyline so dramatically that it’s caused me to reassess Phoenix’s initial film and form fresh interpretations

The following will get into spoilers for Joker: Folie a Deux.

Joker: Folie a Deux is impeccably shot, and extremely well acted.

To make sure we don’t overlook the fact that the initial Joker was nominated for 11 Academy Awards (such as Picture, Director, Screenplay, and Editing), it’s important to note that its sequel is equally impressive in terms of technical prowess. Todd Phillips meticulously crafted a gritty, 70s-inspired New York City atmosphere for Gotham, and he carries this aesthetic over to his follow-up. Cinematographer Lawrence Sher faces a unique challenge this time around, as he switches from capturing the vast expanse of Arthur Fleck in the city to focusing on the claustrophobic setting of Joker within prison. Through both visuals and performances, we can sense the limitations being imposed on our main character

Joaquin Phoenix delivers another outstanding performance as the character Arthur, who is an isolated and misunderstood individual with a troubled past. His gaunt physique and hollow-eyed gaze hint at deep internal turmoil within him. It’s unclear whether his struggles stem from guilt or regret, but he remains mostly silent, leaving much for us to interpret on our own

As I peeked through the haze, my eyes locked onto Lee – a fellow resident from the nearby psychiatric facility who happened to be in a choir I had shown interest in joining. Little did I know, this enchanting woman was an ardent admirer of the Joker, not me. A crucial difference indeed. It wasn’t until much later that I became aware of my past criminal exploits from the previous movie having sparked a burgeoning movement in Gotham. The city streets were teeming with followers of the Joker, but the man they believed to be their idol was uncertain if he truly wanted to embrace such an honor

Joker: Folie a Deux will contend for the saddest film you’ll see this year.

Todd Phillips and Scott Silver craft an emotionally heavy, somber, and disheartening cautionary tale that challenges much of what we loved about the initial film. As Phillips hinted when he mentioned that they weren’t just making a typical sequel, his words proved accurate. I feel compelled to watch Joker: Folie a Deux multiple times simply to grasp its many layers of meaning, which touch upon themes such as identity theft, loneliness, the media’s portrayal of misunderstood people, a flawed justice system, and more. Preparing myself for another viewing of Joker 2 is necessary because it’s a tough watch. You’ll be in awe of its depth, but I can’t promise you’ll find enjoyment in it

In the movie “Joker: Folie a Deux“, two secondary characters make a strong impression. Their acting skills are noteworthy, and their interactions with Arthur Fleck are particularly significant. Catherine Keener’s character, Maryanne Stewart, is one of these standouts. As a defense attorney, she firmly believes that Arthur has multiple personality disorder, which she intends to use as a strategy to have him acquitted of his charges. More importantly, she aims to secure him treatment in a facility far from Arkham, where he can receive the care he needs

Within Arkham Asylum, the character of Arthur is under constant scrutiny by a cruel warden portrayed by Brendan Gleeson. The characters stand out amidst the chaos due to their perspectives on Arthur. The film’s handling of the character, coupled with Phoenix’s powerful acting, has the potential to move the audience significantly. However, there remains a question about whether Arthur is indeed The Joker or aspires to be. Clues can be found in the sequel, Joker: Folie a Deux. Yet, I must admit that I’m uncertain about the answers presented by the movie

Reset your expectations for Joker: Folie a Deux.

Without a doubt, I strongly advise you to catch the movie “Joker: Folie a Deux.” It’s an intriguingly detailed exploration of solitude, offers a captivating perspective on the adoration of misguided deities, and serves as a stunning platform for Joaquin Phoenix’s remarkable acting skills

In a nutshell, you may know that Joker: Folie a Deux is marketed as a musical, although it’s more of a blend. Approximately half of the songs in the film work well, while the other half tend to fade from memory. Despite Lady Gaga’s mesmerizing portrayal of Harley Quinn, the script disappointingly fails to fully develop the character. The movie attempts substantial alterations to both Harley Quinn’s comic backstory and her motivations within the storyline. The inclusion of Harley Quinn in a Joker narrative is understandable given the film’s exploration of the true essence of “The Joker.” However, Todd Phillips and Scott Silver struggled to find a suitable role for Harley in this tale, resulting in a character that seems underutilized by the narrative

After watching Joker: Folie a Deux, there’s plenty to ponder over. In fact, compared to when we left the theater after seeing the first Joker, I find there’s more to dissect. Initially, I found Joker to be an outstanding standalone origin story with a vague ending and numerous plot threads that could have potentially led to a Batman narrative. As Todd Phillips shared during our pre-screening discussion, this is indeed a rich tapestry for further exploration

Typically, when a movie wraps up – be it The Hangover or Old School – the last two days are usually a relief that it’s over. However, the ending of the first Joker was unusual. You may recall, if you follow my Instagram, I posted a photo from the final day of filming on the first Joker, many years ago. Joaquin Phoenix was hugging me with tears in his eyes, which isn’t typical for movie wraps. It wasn’t due to him not seeing me again; instead, we had grown fond of Arthur and believed there was more to explore in his story. Joaquin even jokingly suggested we could have filmed for three more months. And I shared the same sentiment. Normally, I can’t wait to leave set and start editing, but on Joker 1, I just wanted to keep working – we loved Arthur that much, and I know Joaquin did too

After watching “Joker: Folie a Deux“, you’ll find yourself chuckling, yet it will also make you ponder about the portrayal of Arthur in this film, causing you to reconsider your feelings towards him, as well as the Joker from the initial movie. Even after one watch, I find myself in a state of internal conflict, eagerly anticipating another viewing. Compared to movies like “Venom“, “Catwoman“, or any other superficial attempts at creating an anti-hero’s mythology, the depth and complexity presented by Phillips, Silver, and Phoenix in these films is a far more rewarding experience

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2024-09-04 20:57