“Joker: Folie à Deux” is a long-awaited sequel to 2019’s “Joker.” Our JP gives his take on the Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga starring film.
Joker: Folie à Deux
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
- Directed by Todd Phillips
- Written by Scott Silver, Todd Phillips
- Based on Characters by DC Comics
- Produced by Todd Phillips, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Joseph Garner
- Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Zazie Beetz
Studio Synopsis:
From acclaimed writer/director/producer Todd Phillips comes “Joker: Folie À Deux,” the much-anticipated follow-up to 2019’s Academy Award-winning “Joker,” which earned more than $1 billion at the global box office and until recently was the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. The new film stars Joaquin Phoenix once again in his Oscar-winning dual role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, opposite Oscar winner Lady Gaga (“A Star Is Born”). “Joker: Folie À Deux” finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him.
J.P’s Take:
When Bob Kane and Bill Finger set off to create “Batman” in late 1939, they needed the perfect foil to trip up the caped crusader. Illustrator Jerry Robinson climbed aboard, joining the creators in conceptualizing one of the most illustrious villains in comic history. Yet, the intriguing aspect of this particular character is he didn’t have an origin story. Furthermore, he was only supposed to be a short-lived character altogether.
Decades later comic book readers around the globe know and love the Joker as he’s become the seminal archenemy of Batman and a terrorizer of Gotham City. His origin story has even taken on many different iterations over the years; leading to the tragic life of Arthur Fleck. His story has proven to be the most poignant and disturbing, and it needed to be told on the big screen.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is the in-depth, grueling, deranged musical follow-up to 2019’s maddening forerunner “Joker.” The sequel gives us privy to Arthur Fleck / Joker’s (Joaquin Phoenix) spiral down the rabbit hole with eerie and mind-bending results. Fleck goes on trial this time to prove his innocence and that he is sane enough to be set free; however, along the way a macabre romance strikes up between him and fellow Arkham State Hospital patient Harleen “Lee” Quinn (Lady Gaga). Their love affair takes a pretty dark turn from the start, as Arthur is put in the spotlight for the incidences that occurred in “Joker.”
Quinn carries a torch for Fleck, believing he truly is innocent, and goes on to advocate for him in the media and on the streets. Yet, it all plays out like a stage performance in every other scene throughout the film. Quinn has her own demons to fight, as her childhood trauma is presented here as well. Is she too delusional? We’re led to believe so quite convincingly. With the two worlds colliding, you will surely become enraptured by their tragic pasts. At one point, we’re shown the vulnerable, broken, and guilt-ridden Fleck, who wants his suffering to end. At another point, the Joker arises to fool us all.
As the subtitle suggests, “The world is a stage,” Lee and Arthur make the perfect couple when they sing and dance through the pain and suffering together … not realizing the joke is on us. Because their shared fallacies are so intertwined, viewers can’t trust or believe either side. From a personal standpoint, a part of me believes Arthur Fleck is not a madman, but simply a victim of deep-seated trauma, as evident in the numerous and graphic run-ins with those who abuse him at every turn. For much of the film, you waltz into the darkness with Fleck and added love interest Quinn, since many of the scenes are dismal almost nihilistic in tone. The only moments that break the somberness are when the characters break out into mini songs accenting their point of view in the matter. There’s even an awkward jailhouse sex scene between Lee and Arthur that feels quite dreary.
If there is a bright spot within such a bleak film, it would be the performances:
- Joaquin Phoenix takes Arthur Fleck — or rather the Joker — to a new level. He plays Arthur Fleck with such a depressing, hopeless grandeur that you’re wondering why he doesn’t just end his life. Then as Joker, you’re completely captured by his outright eccentric and bizarre outbursts that you believe he’s fallen deeper into psychosis.
- We all know Lady Gaga is a mega talent. Here as Harleen “Lee” Quinzel, she’s understated, and make-up less yet still the powerhouse.
- Harry Lawtey’s portrayal of Gotham City District Attorney Harvey Dent has a fitting egotistical swag.
- Steve Coogan plays a schmuck of a news reporter Paddy Meyers.
- Catherine Keener plays Arthur’s lawyer with a concerned spirit.
- Brendan Gleeson is the abusive scoundrel of a guard, Jackie Sullivan, at Arkham Asylum.
- Zazie Beetz reprises her role as Sophie Dumond, in support of Arthur, as does Leigh Gil as Gary Puddles, Arthur’s former clown co-worker.
- They are joined by Ken Leung, Jacob Lofland, and Bill Smitrovich in supporting roles of Dr. Victor Liu; Ricky Meline, an inmate at Arkham and admirer of Arthur’s; and Judge Herman Rothwax, respectively.
Director/co-writer Todd Phillips and writer Scott Silver do their darndest to bring out “the best of the worst” of these characters. I must admit this type of villain lore isn’t for everyone, as it’ll take you down some pretty dark paths to a gnarly conclusion. The ending will leave you with a question mark that many fans may pick up.
However, if you’re ready to dig deeper into one of the most iconic villains in comic book lore, you’ll want to stay alert to its tale. As for me, I was willing to dig in … yet, at some point, it started to wear on me mentally even emotionally. “Joker: Folie à Deux” is worth the watch nonetheless.
Official Site: Joker: Folie à Deux
