As a cinephile with decades of film history under my belt, I can confidently say that Paul Schrader, the man behind the raw and gritty ’70s classics like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, is not one to mince words when it comes to his opinions on contemporary cinema. His latest target? The much-anticipated Joker sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux.
Paul Schrader, the esteemed screenwriter behind the 1976 masterpiece “Taxi Driver,” is well-versed in crafting intricate and complex characters that dwell in shadows. Lately, this influential director of the ’80s has turned his critical eye towards a dark film slated for release in 2024: “Joker: Folie à Deux“. Known for shaping the gritty, introspective style of American cinema, not just through “Taxi Driver” but also by writing “Raging Bull,” directing “Hardcore,” “American Gigolo,” and “Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters,” this master filmmaker is no stranger to delivering tough critiques. His latest focus? He offered some blunt criticisms of Todd Phillips’ upcoming “Joker” sequel.
In an interview with Jeremy O. Harris for Interview Magazine, screenwriter Paul Schrader candidly shared his thoughts on big-budget commercial films. When asked about his opinion on “Joker 2”, he didn’t hold back his feelings. The musical twist and the casting of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, to some extent, stretched boundaries, but Schrader’s critique was clear: he wasn’t impressed with the film.
I watched approximately 10-15 minutes initially, then stepped out, made a purchase, returned, and watched another 10 minutes. At that point, I felt satisfied with the amount I had seen.
To those accustomed to the straightforwardness of the filmmaker known as “Auto Focus”, this criticism may seem expected. Yet, his critique extends beyond just the film’s content. The 77-year-old director not only criticized the musical structure of the movie, but also targeted its two leading actors. He further commented:
I don’t like either of those people. I don’t like them as actors. I don’t like them as characters. I don’t like the whole thing. I mean, those are people who, if they came to your house, you’d slip out the back door.
Ouch. Schrader’s sharp criticism of Joaquin Phoenix, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker, and Lady Gaga, who received acclaim for her performance in A Star Is Born, cuts right to the core of his frustrations with modern cinema. His remarks on Joker: Folie à Deux reflect a broader critique of contemporary Hollywood and seem to align with the negative response the Jokeer sequel has received from audiences. As you may have heard, the movie has struggled with disappointing box office numbers and harsh reactions from critics.
Paul Schrader’s comments appear quite pointed, considering that the movie Joker was heavily influenced by Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy, both of which he played a significant role in creating. Despite the success of Joker, it seems that the writer of There Are No Saints has a strong dislike for its potential sequel, Folie à Deux. This indicates that for him, Folie à Deux is not the raw, subversive cinema that he once helped shape.
Yet, it might not be so unexpected that the ex-UCLA film student voiced criticism, given his broader perspectives he shared in the same dialogue. The director of the movie “Dominion” expressed his indifference towards mainstream, big-budget filmmaking, looking back at his short stint with such genre during his work on the prequel to “The Exorcist”. He further mentioned:
Initially, I thought the movie was intended to be a high-budget blockbuster, but as time went on, it felt increasingly inappropriate for my taste.
Hey, fair enough, big-budget spectacle isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay.
Paul Schrader is no stranger to tough reviews, even for his own productions. His 2013 erotic thriller, The Canyons, penned by Bret Easton Ellis, the author of American Psycho, and starring Lindsay Lohan along with adult film performer James Deen, was heavily criticized when it debuted. However, this didn’t deter him from making more films, and fortunately for us, we have First Reformed, The Card Counter, and The Master Gardener—three movies in my opinion that form an unofficial trilogy and are truly exceptional.
Schrader’s newest movie, titled “Oh Canada“, is due out on December 6th. As for “Joker: Madness Duet”, it’s currently showing in cinemas if you’d like to form your own opinion. Look up your local showtimes, and remember to explore our 2025 movie lineup for more upcoming films!
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2024-10-15 19:07