As a gamer with over two decades of immersion into the digital world, I must say that Todd Phillips’ “Joker: Folie ? Deux” is a rollercoaster ride that leaves you questioning whether you’ve just survived a dark, twisted carnival or stumbled out of an arcade game on hard mode.
Similar to a case of two-sided madness, also known as “folie à deux” in French, the initial reactions to the film “Joker: Folie à Deux” are divided. The movie featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga premiered at the 81st Venice Film Festival on Wednesday, marking the unveiling of director Todd Phillips’ sequel to the 2019 “Joker”. Following the festival’s artistic director, Alberto Barbera, calling the sequel “daring,” “darker,” and “completely different” from its predecessor, the reviews appear consistent: the second installment is a blend of praise and criticism, despite standout performances by Academy Award winners Phoenix and Gaga
According to its official summary, the sequel to Joker, titled “Joker: Madness Twins”, sees Arthur Fleck/Joker (Phoenix) confined at Arkham Asylum, awaiting trial for his actions as the Joker. As he grapples with his two personas, Arthur discovers more than just love in Harley Quinn (Gaga), but also uncovers the music that has always resonated within him. However, as critiqued by Owen Gleiberman of Variety, this intriguing premise doesn’t fully materialize in the final film
In his critique, Gleiberman expresses disappointment that the movie doesn’t create a strong sense of danger or urgency associated with the character of Joker. Despite numerous scenes featuring Arthur as the Joker, such as courtroom defense, song performances, and even fantastical numbers, there’s no longer any hint of imminent threat or rebellion. Instead, the Joker is primarily seen singing, dancing, and engaging in daydream sequences, according to Gleiberman. He further notes that while Joker 2 appears ambitious and provocative on the surface, it ultimately turns out to be a more conservative sequel
In a similar fashion, David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter finds fault with the inconsistent sequel for diminishing Arthur’s Joker character, yet commends Phoenix’s captivating performance and the electrifying presence of Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born. According to Rooney, their musical performances, whether duets or solos, provide a much-needed energy that the film, which can be quite somber at times, lacks. Some viewers might argue that Gaga is underutilized in the movie. However, despite the desire for more of her spectacular performances, Lee does ensure that Gaga’s character has a complete arc. Adding more of her could potentially transform Folie à Deux into a Harley Quinn origin story
In a unique and extraordinary way, Deadline critic Pete Hammond refers to the upcoming Joker sequel as a musical. He notes that Phoenix, who knows the character of Joker exceptionally well, takes on an unconventional approach by performing dance numbers and singing, bringing this role to life in a manner no one else has before (or at least surpassing his award-winning portrayal in Joker, if not outright exceeding it). Gaga, on the other hand, gives a subtle performance that deviates from our expectations of Harley Quinn as portrayed by Margot Robbie. Instead, she presents a character all her own, appearing less glamorous and more down-to-earth while convincingly expressing affection and connection with the Joker, and most importantly, the man beneath the makeup
Critic Richard Lawson from Vanity Fair and David Ehrlich from IndieWire both express that the sequel is remarkably boring, lacking substance, and seems contemptuous towards its viewers. In simpler terms, they argue that the sequel tries hard not to entertain you. As for director Todd Phillips, he has made a film that even the Joker might appreciate. However, Ehrlich suggests that he is less certain others will feel the same way about it. Furthermore, neither critic finds the concept of the film, which seems to avoid pleasure, sophisticated or rewarding enough to endure the pain of watching it
William Bibbiani from TheWrap had a favorable take on the peculiar musical sequel to the movie Joker, titled Folie ? Deux. He described it as a melancholic, thoughtful, and strikingly unusual film that employs the dramatic nature of movie musicals to subvert rather than enhance its protagonist’s aspirations. The review ultimately praises Folie ? Deux as “the most intriguing portrayal of Arthur Fleck. It’s genuinely a bit bold, genuinely a bit complex, and genuinely a bit authentic. And that’s no exaggeration.”
Joker: Folie ? Deux is only in theaters October 4th.
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2024-09-04 22:04