Quentin Tarantino Responds to Critics of His ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ Review

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As a seasoned cinephile with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I find Quentin Tarantino’s unapologetic defense of “Joker: Folie à Deux” nothing short of refreshing. In an industry where opinions can be as polarizing as the films themselves, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a director who doesn’t shy away from expressing his likes and dislikes.

Quentin Tarantino stood out among a select group of prominent figures who publicly endorsed the movie “Joker: Folie à Deux,” a film that garnered mixed reviews and disappointing box office returns, considering its substantial $200 million budget. Known for his candidness, Tarantino has never shied away from expressing his opinions on various topics, regardless of potential criticism. Consequently, it is unsurprising that the backlash he faced for appreciating the Joker sequel failed to faze him in any way, and he has made it clear he remains undeterred by such reactions.

On the Joe Rogan Experience, the renowned filmmaker recently talked about the criticism he faced for expressing his appreciation for Folie à Deux: Joker. He found that some ardent fans seemed offended by his opinion of the movie, which they considered a sin. However, Tarantino believes it’s perfectly fine to have enjoyed the film, and others might not have felt the same way. Yet, he used strong language in expressing his thoughts, so let his words be the ultimate guide.

In simpler terms, “I appeared on a talk show and expressed my enjoyment of ‘Joker 2.’ Now, there are approximately 150 articles about it. One person writes an article based on my statement, which then leads to around 150 copies or similar articles. Reading the comments, I’m being called names like “a**hole” because I liked the movie. But why am I being labeled as a “a**hole”? I just enjoy watching movies, and I have the right to express my opinions. It doesn’t matter if you agree with me or not. Why are people so bothered by what I like? What difference does it make to them what I think about a movie?

Quentin Tarantino Was One of the High-Profile Defenders of ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’

Tarantino voiced his support for “Joker: Folie à Deux” as far back as October, and he’s one of the prominent filmmakers in the industry who’s applauded Todd Phillips’ work, particularly Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck. He believes the movie carries deeper meanings than initially perceived, particularly on how Phillips managed to persuade Warner Bros. to invest $200 million into a project that many comic book movie enthusiasts had written off before they even watched it.

“The Joker directed the movie. The entire concept, even him spending the studio’s money — he’s spending it like the Joker would spend it, all right? … the comic book geeks. He’s saying fuck you to all of them. He’s saying fuck you to the movie audience. He’s saying fuck you to Hollywood. He’s saying fuck you to anybody who owns any stock at DC and Warner Brothers […] And Todd Phillips is the Joker. Un film de Joker, all right, is what it is. He is the Joker.”

It’s understandable that some movie enthusiasts pay attention to Tarantino’s preferences and can be critical when they don’t align with their own views, given his esteemed status in the film industry and nearly flawless filmography (from this fan’s perspective). As a genuine cinephile, Tarantino has openly expressed his affection for various films. However, it’s important to note that the director emphasizes that audiences should not concern themselves with his personal movie preferences.

“Then they say I’m a f*cking a**hole for not seeing something. What the f*ck do you care what I see or don’t see? Someone will say, ‘Well I think he’s missing out.’ Well I am sure there is a lot of sh*t I could say you’re missing out on and I don’t care if you miss out on.”

The movie “Folie à Deux,” released in October, immediately signaled trouble for Warner Bros., as it underperformed at the box office and received poor reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes and Popcornmeter, it scored 32% and 32%, respectively. Despite this, the film managed to earn $58 million domestically and $206 million globally, significantly lower than the $1 billion global gross of the original. Reports suggest that Warner Bros. incurred a loss of approximately $150 million on the project due to its high production cost and limited box office success.

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2024-12-12 21:31