Joker: Folie à Deux
⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 (out of 5)
Todd Phillips caught the world asleep in 2019 with his release of Joker. Audiences were slapped awake by the combination of one of the greatest villains in cinematic history and arguably the best actor in modern Hollywood, Joaquin Phoenix. His reimagined origin of Batman's ultimate nemesis went on to accolades and breaking box office results worldwide. Despite saying that there would not be a sequel, one billion dollars at the box office forced the filmmaker's hand. Fans of the original get their wish, including the origins of the Crown Prince of Crime's femme fatale, Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga).
Set two years after the events that put Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) in the world's mind's eye with the murder of five people, including the on-air shooting of talk show host Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro). As he awaits his trial in the Arkham State Hospital, he does all he can to survive amongst the madness of the criminally insane and the less-than-ethical guards. His lawyer, Maryanne Stewart (Catherine Keener), attempts to get his case thrown out with a defence of dissociative identity disorder, claiming that Joker's character was brought on by the abuse of his mother. During his rehabilitation, Arthur is introduced to music therapy by Guard Jackie Sullivan (Brendan Gleeson). Amongst the other patents, Harleen "Lee" Quinzel (Gaga) manages to work her way into the confidence of the Joker and encourage him to romantically release this alter ego in song and action. As the trial unfolds, the pair must determine how they will be able to escape this world and build a life together.
You read that correctly, Todd Phillips decided to make the sequel to his original masterpiece a musical. Is it due to Lady Gaga's involvement? It may not matter; this film contains numerous classic songs that complement the storyline. Segments that were believable in a mental health institution or as dream sequences. Yet, were they necessary or did they help with the storyline? Not really, but they did showcase the talents of the pop star and show that Phoenix has the chops to keep up with her. This brief commentary epitomises this whole project as a set of amazing components that ultimately fail to deliver.
Joaquin Phoenix never dials in his performances. The Academy Award winner is convincing and compelling in his role. Lady Gaga proves she has exceptional talent, by combining musicianship and acting. Todd Phillips has developed an amazingly confronting Gotham City that is the perfect backdrop for this sequel. Yet, this movie kept falling all over itself as a complete package. Characters like Harvey Dent (Harry Lawtey) need to be developed; others like Steve Coogan's television personality, Paddy Meyers, merely disappear without explanation, and then to have the majority of the film occur in the courtroom made this story inexplicably dull. Still, all of these components failed to help salvage Todd Phillips' follow-up as they came together. Watching Joker: Folie à Deux was like watching a great comic come on stage after setting a new level of comedy and bomb in front of the world in grand style.
REEL DIALOGUE: Why is there such a stigma with mental health?
Even with modern advancements and education, people still have a hard time knowing how to respond to the topic of mental illness. It is not new to society, throughout the Bible there are references to individuals that struggle with these internal challenges.
It is not an easy topic to address and people struggling with mental health issues need to seek help. One area that can help is by looking at the words of the Bible. The realities portrayed in the Word of God help to show that the answers can be found in the words of Jesus. God can help through the journey and know that it is better to seek help than to struggle alone.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7
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