Joker Folie Á Deux is a Don’t

In 2019, we left Joker aka Arthur Fleck as he was about to be arrested for his crimes. Once again, produced, written and directed by Todd Phillips, the film, despite mixed reviews for it’s gruesomely violent content, would go on to be nominated for 11 Academy Awards taking home two for Best Actor and Best Original Score.

Joker: Folie Á Deux now finds Arthur institutionalized at Arkham while awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. Struggling with a dual identity Fleck stumbles upon what he believes to be his true love (Lady Gaga) while discovering music that’s always been lurking inside him.  Sounds like a crazy premise?  You would be absolutely right!

Opening with a cartoon montage of Joker’s arrest, the film quickly moves into musical moments like bursting into song after discovering his lawyers are seeking the death penalty, a musical jail break after a piano is intentionally set ablaze or snapping into renditions of classic tunes like “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “That’s Entertainment” or “When You’re Smiling” are entertaining.  Yet, those moments totally solidify and substantiate reasons why some people hate musicals.  The manner in which these numbers pop up in the film are wild and crazy.

Even crazier is watching the Joker and Harley Show (ala Sonny and Cher) or watching him fire his lawyer and attempt to defend himself.  This didn’t work well in real life for Ted Bundy, John Allen Muhammed (D.C. Sniper), so were we really supposed to suspend reality for Joker? Having said that, it does speak to the narcissistic behavior of these types of killers, which I wholeheartedly appreciate.

Not to mention the gospel wedding complete with a tap dancing Joker or his 60’s vibe rendition of “The Joker is Me” while yet again taking people out in the courtroom is bananas!

When its predecessor premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2019, Phillips warned the audience to get ready because this film was going to be crazy!  This sequel is more than crazy this time around- it’s absolutely bonkers!

What isn’t bonkers is Joaquin Phoenix and inhabiting this character. Phoenix is exactly what his name implies ‘uniquely remarkable.’ Making this character even more complexly laced with vulnerability and a childlike energy at times, Joker provides this actor with a toolbox of characterizations only most actors can dream of.  Portraying heartbreak, portrayal and smidge of understanding for this type of twisted individual is quite challenging and Joaquin Phoenix hits the right notes every time.

As for the love story with Harley (Lady Gaga), it happens too swiftly for my taste.  What was it about Harley that he loved other than the fact she claimed to connect with him?  Gaga seems to be more of a sidekick than a fully fleshed out character which for me felt like a waste of her talent.

However, cinematographer Lawrence Sher gives this film a glossy, gorgeous veneered lens which will keep audiences riveted throughout, especially for the musical sequences.

I think my sentiments of this sequel are best expressed through the lyrics of the final song, “That’s Life”

I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet
A pawn and a king
I’ve been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing
Each time I find myself layin’
Flat on my face
I just pick myself up and get
Back in the race

THAT’S LIFE!

Films come and go.  Some sear your soul and others leave your soul empty.  Joker: Folie Á Deux will leave folks split on their opinions and we all know that doing sequels can be a bit dicey trying to recapture the magic. Lightning in a bottle didn’t go down this time, but if you like musicals, witnessing a Phoenix and Gaga duet is totally worth it.