As a cinephile with over two decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that Joker: Folie à Deux is a masterpiece that truly stands out. The cinematography, coupled with Todd Phillips’ unique directorial style, offers an immersive experience into the mind of Arthur Fleck, a character brilliantly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix.
The rumors are true: Musical hints run rampant in Joker: Folie à Deux, the daring and divisive sequel to the Batman nemesis’ origin story that was showered with Oscar nominations back in 2020 and even took home a trophy for its leading man. The new film has gotten some surprisingly harsh early reactions, but how soon we forget that even Joker pushed some boundaries and ruffled some feathers, despite that praise. Check the Rotten Tomatoes scores and DC fans’ comments for both of Todd Phillips’ Joker films, and you’ll remember the headlines confirming that each has stirred controversy and caused a bit of consternation.
Complaints about the first one might have read something like, “Why so morbidly violent, and celebrated as such? Isn’t this utterly derivative of The King of Comedy from 40 years ago?” And for the sequel: “Eh, a bit boring and meandering, no?” Well, I’m a fan of the first film and, believe it or not, am of a mind to declare Joker: Folie à Deux as another crowning achievement for Phillips, a skilled filmmaker who was once known for raunchy comedies like Old School and The Hangover. He’s finally back in action with writing partner Scott Silver, who Phillips recently quoted at the Los Angeles premiere of Joker 2 as saying, “As creative artists, we must take risks.” Amen, brother.
Madness for 2, Please
For those not acquainted with the French phrase, “folie à deux” signifies “madness of two,” describing an unusual form of shared mental disturbance when analyzing peculiar behavior between a duo. This medical term is ingeniously employed in the title, as the title character’s lover and trusted assistant are introduced in Phillips’ interpretation of the DC universe, both sharing a compulsion for devastation.
In the early part of this year, an acclaimed independent film titled “The People’s Joker” debuted, providing a strikingly different perspective on Harley Quinn’s backstory. Remarkably, Lady Gaga portrays a more restrained version of the famous Batman antagonist. In this movie, Arthur Fleck initially encounters her in a music class within the correctional facility where he is being held at the start of the film.
Initially, let me pose a question: How would one begin an imaginative sequel to the creative Joker origin film? The movie Folie à Deux starts in the classic style of Warner Bros. Entertainment, using a cartoon animation as a wickedly amusing summary of how the previous story ended. It’s soon clear that there’s been a time leap between the two films, with Arthur now securely established in his routine life within the local prison.
Arthur, similar to before, remains distressingly thin, but it appears even more pronounced this time around. His companions, who are both friendly and somewhat ominous, such as Jackie Sullivan (played by Brendan Gleeson), have noticed a change in him – he’s not telling his characteristic jokes anymore. It seems that cigarettes are the only thing Arthur is consuming regularly these days.
Gotham’s Jazziest Courtroom Drama
The movie titled “Joker: Folie à Deux” is indeed filmed for IMAX. The stunning cinematography immediately immerses us in Arthur’s less-than-ideal living conditions near the prison premises, showcasing his chaotic companions and occasional visitors like defense attorney Maryanne Stewart, played by Catherine Keener, who is determined to prosecute Arthur. However, Arthur claims that the five gruesome murders he committed in the first film, including those of talk-show host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro), were not actions undertaken by him but rather by his uncontrollable Joker persona.
After the storyline eventually shifts to the courthouse, viewers can anticipate some impressive acting. To start, there are familiar faces reappearing, such as those summoned from the initial trial who observed some of Arthur’s brutal murders over that intense four-week period, which started with the three bullies on the New York subway. The consistently captivating Zazie Beetz testifies as Sophie Dumond at one point, to describe her chilling encounters with former neighbor Arthur before he lashed out – and we won’t ruin the other returning surprises for you here.
Additionally, there are fresh, charming characters introduced, like the young Harvey Dent portrayed by Harry Lawtey, who has adopted an American accent for this version. You may recall him from HBO’s popular series “Industry,” and there’s a brief, enjoyable TV reunion with his co-star Ken Leung in the “Joker” courtroom. Ken Leung plays a doctor approved by the prosecution who claims that Arthur was mentally sound during his rampage in the initial film, which occurred earlier.
Very Little Lady Gaga and Even Less Action but Still Great
As a devoted DC Comics enthusiast, seeking a dose of raw intensity similar to one of Joker’s influential figures, I found myself yearning for more action in this sequel. The action scenes were fewer than the initial film, which might leave some viewers feeling restless and perhaps uttering “boredom” at certain moments. However, for those willing to delve deeper, they will find themselves immersed in the absurd yet poignant sequences that resonate profoundly due to their insightful portrayal of Arthur’s tumultuous mental landscape.
In another outstanding show, Phoenix delivers a compelling portrayal of Arthur, juggling mania, people-pleasing tendencies, anger, moments of humanity, and self-amusing humor. Witness the scene where he consents to an on-camera interview from jail with a well-respected journalist (Steve Coogan, adopting an American accent), who probes relentlessly into Arthur’s inner thoughts with his rather pointed questions. It won’t take much guesswork to predict how their conversation might unfold.
Yes, it’s true that musical sequences are part of the upcoming movie “Joker: Folie à Deux“, which might be a drawback for some fans of superhero films. Already, Lady Gaga has unveiled the companion album titled “Harlequin“, possibly as a response to the fact that her screen time in the film may seem limited compared to what was expected. While she certainly delivers high-energy performances, it sometimes appears that her role is more of a script requirement than an exciting creative choice.
In the final act of “Joker 2”, if director Todd Phillips chooses to carry on his story and expand his unique take on the DC universe, it could spawn new stars – a possibility we’ll find out about later. However, for now, audiences can enjoy this captivating madness that, while not for everyone, offers an exhilarating cinematic experience that I wholeheartedly support. Coming to theaters on October 4, 2024, from Warner Bros. Pictures – “Joker: Folie à Deux”.
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2024-10-01 23:04