Reel Review Roundup

Joker: Folie à Deux (MA)

Directed by: Todd Phillips

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Catherine Keener

Review by: Julian Wright

One of DC’s biggest and boldest adaptations takes another bold swing with a courtroom drama/musical centered around the controversial character Joker.

After murdering six people, including one on live television, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is locked up in Arkham Asylum awaiting his trial.

When newly elected assistant district attorney Harvey Dent (Harry Lawtey) announces his intention to argue for the death penalty, Arthur’s lawyer Maryanne (Catherine Keener) mounts a defense: Arthur has a split personality and requires psychiatric help.

Meanwhile, Arthur crosses paths with fellow patient, the supportive but mysterious Harleen Quinzel (Lady Gaga) who idolises Arthur for his horrific televised actions, and the two emote via song in their love-haze.

After copping criticism for churning out humourless superhero films, DC doubled-down with the super serious and steeped in realism Joker (2019), which was heavily influenced by Taxi Driver, even down to the casting of Robert Di Niro.

Not only was the tone a risky move, but they put it in the hands of director Todd Phillips, whose resume leaned heavily towards bro-comedies, particularly The Hangover trilogy.

It paid off at the box office, and Academy Awards (winning two gold statues among a slew of nominations), so the team have returned to the well.

The boldness in their storytelling has not waned, but their intentions seems to.

This long (two hours and 20 minutes), drawn out courtroom drama offers little in the way of stakes, Arthur’s state of mind is heavily debated – but the answer is clear, musical numbers are introduced, but are fairly low-key (there is no freeway flashmob à la La La Land here), Gaga is brought on board as who will eventually be Harley Quinn, but is mostly relegated to the courtroom’s public gallery.

It makes it difficult to uncover what this sequel’s point is.

The film looks great, Phillips and his team can definitely frame arresting imagery, and it is certainly interesting to watch.

Leigh Gill returns as Gary in a beautifully performed and heart-breaking scene – a highlight.

But Joker: Folie à Deux is a big, bold a swing with only a handful of hits.

This entry was posted on October 3, 2024 at 7:41 am and is filed under Uncategorized with tags joaquin-phoenix, joker, joker-folie-a-deux, lady-gaga, movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.