As a seasoned cinephile who has witnessed the evolution of cinema since the days of black-and-white films, I must say that the release of “Joker: Folie à Deux” has left me a tad disappointed. The film’s underwhelming performance at the box office and the controversy surrounding the cut Lady Gaga scene have left a bitter taste in my popcorn-stained mouth.
The follow-up film titled “Joker: Two Madnesses” has been a significant disappointment for both fans and critics, generating only $40 million at the domestic box office during its debut weekend, significantly less than the $100 million-plus that was anticipated just a few weeks prior. Once it became known that Todd Phillips‘ sequel failed to live up to expectations as a suitable successor to his 2019 film, many cinema-goers chose to avoid theaters, instead potentially waiting for its online release. Those who attended the film on opening weekend were left puzzled, not just once but multiple times, thanks to a well-publicized scene that circulated widely on social media in 2023 which was originally included in the final version of the movie but later removed.
Last year’s news about Lady Gaga’s character, Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, sharing a kiss with another woman outside a courthouse grabbed attention, but in a recent chat with Entertainment Weekly, director Phillips explained that the scene was left out of the film because he aimed for a more melodious atmosphere. To maintain the scene’s impact, dialogue would have been necessary, which he felt would detract from the emotional resonance.
As a movie enthusiast, I found myself yearning for a scene to transform into an immersive musical experience instead of relying on dialogue. However, the scene needed that dialogue to set the stage, so when the woman spoke, Lady Gaga paused and performed this action, which somehow detracted from the intended impact of the moment.
It seems that the kiss wasn’t part of the scripted events in the first place. Instead, Lady Gaga chose to spontaneously add that moment to the scene. Since Phillips opted to omit it from the final film cut, its absence didn’t significantly affect the overall scene, which primarily focused on Gaga’s character performing a short song and dance routine after leaving Arkham State Hospital, and then heading to the courthouse to support Arthur Fleck. It’s unlikely that the kiss would have made much of a difference to this sequence.
How Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga Helped One Another During Filming
Despite having acted in a semi-musical production decades ago and playing Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line” back in 2005, Joaquin Phoenix’s role in the upcoming film doesn’t involve elaborate dance routines or performing alongside an established singer who has won a Grammy. In fact, Phillips shared with EW that this real-time performance with Lady Gaga made the 49-year-old actor quite anxious, even causing him some distress.
Initially having minimal on-camera experience, with her most notable role being in 2018’s “A Star Is Born”, Gaga sought advice from Phoenix regarding acting techniques. According to Phillips, they both provided assistance to each other during the filming process by exchanging tips and know-how in their respective fields.
“In reality, they shared advice with each other. He offered her acting tips since she has been in films, but he is none other than Joaquin Phoenix. On the other hand, she provided him with music guidance because she’s Lady Gaga. This is what movies are all about – a grand collaboration.
Regardless of how Joker: Folie à Deux was received, it’s evident that both leading actors put in a tremendous amount of effort and emotion into the movie, not just going through the motions. This dedication is exactly what fans hoped for, given the film’s substantial $200 million budget. As a result, Phoenix earned an estimated $20 million, while Gaga pocketed around $12 million.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-07 20:31