The Reel Review
While awaiting trial in prison for the string of murders he committed in Joker, Arthur Fleck, the mentally ill, failed comedian, falls in love with an equally disturbed woman, Lee Quinzel (a.k.a. Harley Quinn). Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga star in this jukebox musical/thriller sequel to co-writer/director Todd Phillips’ 2019 film.
Phillips intended his musical take on the story to be a bold glimpse inside the escapist mind of a dual personality individual, but the execution is an abysmally weird, disconnected film with lackluster songs that are totally out of place. The musical aspect of the film succeeds only in pulling the viewer out of the story, which surprisingly, is also incredibly boring. The first indication of trouble is the strange cartoon-like, opening animated sequence.
Phoenix and a way underutilized Gaga both give committed performances, as does Catherine Keener as Arthur’s lawyer and Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin) as a prison guard – but frankly, it just doesn’t matter, given how awful of a misfire this dull, strange film is, especially when compared to the so much better, intense Oscar-winning psychological thriller that came before it.
REEL FACTS
• Just like Joaquin Phoenix in both Joker films, Lady Gaga went full method acting for her performance, insisting that cast and crew only call her “Lee” during the production.
• The idea for this musical sequel came to Joaquin Phoenix in a dream. He and director Todd Phillips tried to make it a Broadway musical prior to opting for the film route.
• Warner Bros. lost between $125 to $200 million on Joker: Folie à Deux. Phoenix and director Phillips each received $20 million with Gaga receiving $12 million.
Video & Photo
