As a cinephile who’s spent countless hours immersed in the dark and gritty underbelly of Gotham City, I found myself drawn to the spectacle that is “Joker: Folie À Deux.” Having been captivated by the original, I was eager to revisit this twisted version of the city, but unfortunately, my experience fell short of expectations.
Filmmaker Todd Phillips ventured into unconventional territory with the movie “Joker“. Despite being based on one of the most iconic and infamous pop culture antagonists ever created (and a performance for which Heath Ledger won an Oscar), the film represented a risky move, asking viewers to embrace its intense darkness and a character analysis that strays far from the usual elements associated with “comic book movie enjoyment”
Joker: Folie À Deux
Date of Premiere: October 4, 2024
It was appropriate for Phillips to evaluate the public’s interest in his unique style and method, given that the 2019 launch was a significant triumph on numerous fronts: he struck gold with an exceptional partner in Joaquin Phoenix, it presents a compelling and lasting drama that lingers in one’s thoughts, and it held the title of the highest-grossing R-rated film ever for quite some time
In the sequel Joker: Folie À Deux, five years later, the bold moves persist. The unsettling ambiance returns in full strength, it is indeed a musical (an unexpected choice for the genre), and there’s a significant meta-commentary in the screenplay by Todd Phillips and Scott Silver that offers an intriguing perspective on the audience’s response to the previous installment. However, what sets this apart is that some of these bold moves exceed their mark, overshadowing the film’s finest aspects
In a different phrasing: Compared to its predecessor, “Joker: Folie À Deux” extends by 16 minutes, yet it seems longer due to the combination of persistent dark tones and brutality, a sparse narrative structure, and an abundance of musical scenes. The grim and disturbing story of Arthur Fleck continues to captivate, with Joaquin Phoenix delivering another powerful, emotional portrayal of the character. Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn adds an interesting twist as the eccentric antagonist, serving as a compelling scene partner. However, the film falters due to slow-moving pacing, which dilutes the impact of its intelligent, shocking conclusion
The movie finds Arthur Fleck confined in Arkham Asylum, awaiting trial for the slaying of five individuals, which includes the on-air murder of talk show host Murray Franklin. As Gotham’s District Attorney, Harvey Dent (played by Harry Lawtey), works to prosecute him, Arthur’s attorney, Maryanne Stewart (portrayed by Catherine Keener), constructs a defense based on the notion that “Joker” represents a separate personality within Arthur. She aims to secure his release due to insanity
Under the watchful gaze of a rough-edged guard (Brendan Gleeson), who gives Arthur cigarettes as payment for a daily joke, Arthur behaves impeccably as a patient. This behavior earns him privileges such as visits to the low-security ward and participation in scheduled singing events. It’s during these gatherings that he befriends fellow patient Lee Quinzel, whom he immediately develops feelings for. As a groundswell of public support grows, Arthur is motivated to embrace his dark clown persona
Joker: Folie À Deux is made up of impressive pieces that don’t quite come together as a whole.
Todd Phillips and Joaquin Phoenix, having completed work on Joker, opted not to fade away but instead returned with Joker: Folie À Deux. Contrary to expectations, the sequel doesn’t feel like an unnecessary or triumphant rehash. On the contrary, it seems to counterbalance some of the most passionate and ecstatic responses to the original film. This is evident not only in the multitude of Arthur supporters, waving signs during court proceedings, but more so in the powerful role of Harley Quinn. Her presence, a beloved character from pop culture now omnipresent, is used to provoke and amplify the darkest tendencies of her unwell lover within the storyline
The partnership between Phillips and cinematographer Lawrence Sher once more results in vivid visuals that immediately evoke the atmosphere of this universe from the opening frame – scenes of Arkham Asylum guards leading patients out of their cells through gloom and dampness to empty waste buckets into a sink – even though the despair is later counterbalanced by bright and vibrant sequences featuring Arthur and Lee singing duets, illuminated by spotlights (all taking place in the protagonist’s mind, naturally)
Once more, there seems to be some clever manipulation of scenes in Jeff Groth’s production, with certain details appearing inconsistent between shots. Additionally, there are several events that create a series of puzzling inconsistencies, much like its predecessor’s knack for making you doubt the genuine nature of what you see on screen. This layer of fantasy subtly infuses an air of deceit into the big-screen drama, but it also intensifies moments of genuine reality (keep an eye out for standout performances by Zazie Beetz and Leigh Gill, who reappear in their roles from Joker, as witnesses in Arthur’s trial)
There are some terrific elements and pieces in Joker: Folie À Deux – but they’re overcooked.
Todd Phillips doubling down on what made Joker great doesn’t totally work.
Due to the unique elements presented in the movie Joker, the gritty portrayal of Gotham city, reminiscent of Scorsese’s style, was surprisingly refreshing. The film’s ability to immerse viewers into its dark world is commendable, yet much like wanting to visit a harsh location only once, a second viewing loses any appeal and instead offers a sense of oppression. In truth, it becomes even more overwhelming since the protagonist, Arthur, spends most of the film being transported between an asylum filled with madmen and cruel wardens, and a courtroom where the fate of his crimes is decided – potentially resulting in capital punishment
As a fan, I must admit that the recurring themes and monotony felt quite heavy at times. The frequent interruptions of musical sequences, seemingly playing in Arthur’s mind, didn’t seem to add the desired momentum. Lady Gaga’s talents are undeniable, and it’s clear the filmmakers aimed to fully utilize her skills. However, the numerous revisits to the same elegantly dressed set felt excessive, and there’s also the matter of Phoenix’s vocals not quite matching up to Gaga’s melodically, which unfortunately detracted from the overall auditory experience
In the movie Joker: Folie À Deux, there’s an unmistakable artistic perspective, both in its execution and conclusion. This perspective elevates the movie, despite the fact that Joker stands strong on its own. It’s essentially an enlarged exploration of the character, offering some unexpected twists, but it also gathers a mix of despair and repetitiveness. In a sense, it suffers from being too familiar, leading to contempt. With more thought and analysis, its superior aspects might secure it a favorable reputation, but it’s challenging to watch
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2024-09-04 21:02