Joker: Folie á Deux

Today I went and saw “Joker: Folie á Deux,” which came out four days ago. I was surprised to see that they were making a sequel to “Joker,” as I thought that film stood well on its own. However, when I saw the trailers, I thought it was going to be good. Did it hold up to the expectations of the trailer?

Two years have passed since Arthur Fleck, reprised by Joaquin Phoenix, put on the clown make-up, murdered several people, and became a folk hero to the broken people of Gotham City. He’s allowed witness to none of these rebellions he’s supposedly inspired, having spent the short-term period behind bars in the dilapidated Arkham Asylum. With his trail coming up and the district attorney, Harvey Dent, played by Harry Lawton, insisting on the death penalty, there is little bit of hope. That is, until he sees Lee, played by Lady Gaga, who has a song in her heard and stars in her eyes.

Kayleigh Donaldson said in her review, “Director Todd Phillips had sold 2019’s Joker as a one-off experiment for Warner Bros. and DC to allow their tightly controlled superhero franchise the chance to shake things up in an ‘artsy’ manner. But, after grossing $1 billion worldwide, winning two Oscars, and taking home the top prize at the Venice Film Festival, there was no way the studio was going to leave it there. Joker: Folie a Deux comes to us with a reported $200 million budget, but also far more tepid reviews. Audiences don’t seem as thrilled with the prospect of a musical drama twisted romance courtroom tale. That’s not their Joker, at least that’s what I’ve seen his die-hard fans proclaiming on social media.” They’re not wrong there. What proves most fascinating about “Folie á Deux” is how it tells those supporters to screw off.

Donaldson admitted, “Folie a Deux is a very mean movie, and I say that as a compliment. The biggest issue with the first film was that Phillips was too timid to make it as nihilistic as he believed it to be. The bleak perspective of a story about a mentally ill loner being elevated to god status through violence was diluted by his enamoured perspective for that idea of the anti-hero.” He believed a little too much what Arthur was selling, and so did his fans. That inspired some really overdone address about the film being ‘dangerous’ that it never deserved. “Folie á Deux” comes far closer to diving into complete anarchy.

Arthur’s lawyer, played by Catherine Keener, has made her defense on the idea of him having a ‘split personality,’ one that turns into ‘Joker’ when triggered by the traumatic memories of his abusive childhood. Donaldson said, “To make that case, and do so for a camera-packed trial that’s being broadcast live, she has to sell him to the masses as a pathetic mess with no control over himself. It’s not untrue either, but standing by that defence disempowers Arthur, and his conflict over that is intriguing. If he gives the braying crowds what they want, isn’t there some dignity in that? But Arthur is not his own creation, and the act he puts on in his own defence (allowed by the most lenient judge in all of Gotham, apparently) is cringe-inducing.” He’s not funny, he’s not charismatic, and he’s not the clown prince of crime. However, none of that matters more than the imagination built up by those who want him to be more. Donaldson admitted, “To make that case, and do so for a camera-packed trial that’s being broadcast live, she has to sell him to the masses as a pathetic mess with no control over himself. It’s not untrue either, but standing by that defence disempowers Arthur, and his conflict over that is intriguing. If he gives the braying crowds what they want, isn’t there some dignity in that? But Arthur is not his own creation, and the act he puts on in his own defence (allowed by the most lenient judge in all of Gotham, apparently) is cringe-inducing. Why would you want to be those jerks? Something tells me that DC won’t sell as many Joker Halloween costumes this year.”

However, there are positive aspects here. Honestly, there are many things appreciate: the Looney Tunes animated opening given by the legendary Sylvain Chomet. Donaldson noted, “Laurence Sher’s cinematography, blending ’70s grime with golden age musical sheen.” Steve Coogan playing a creepy TV host who he clearly based on Piers Morgan. Brendan Gleeson as a cruel prison guard who thinks he’s Sinatra. Finally, a really disappointing ending. Phoenix and Gaga have a weird and disorganized chemistry that makes sense as the creation of total fantasy, and both of them can dance nonstop. Leigh Gill returns from the first film and steals the show.

Just like everyone else has been saying, this is boring. Donaldson said, “Phillips has somehow managed to take the idea of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest crossed with Pennies from Heaven and sap it of its verve and movement.” The musical segments aren’t directed right, with many of them shot in close-up. It’s too long but the important moments of realization are rushed. Gaga’s character is not there for a lot of the second half, even though she’s necessary for the story to work. We don’t see anything outside of the prison or get an idea of the amount of Arthur’s support. Just like the first film, the problem stays the director. Donaldson said, “He’s not up to the task, not nervy or skilled enough to match his own ambition. Folie a Deux cries out for someone who knows how to shoot choreography, a filmmaker with a knack for bone-dry dark humour and a foot within the realms of the unreal.” You can see every way this movie’s supposed to work and it doesn’t do any of that. By the end, you’re frustrated more than anything else.

In many ways, “Joker: Folie á Deux” is a better film than the last. It’s at least more willing to disrupt expectations. Yet the weaknesses can’t be brushed aside and Phillips cannot help but blame himself. Donaldson ended her review by admitting, “Believe it or not, dude, but I was rooting for you.”

As everyone knows, I really loved the first movie. That was one of the darkest look at a DC character I had ever seen. I wasn’t expecting it and I thought it was well done. However, the sequel just ended up being a disappointment. All of the good stuff was in the trailers, and even those segments ended up fooling you. I fell asleep at one point for a little bit because it was that boring. The direction the film went in ended up being a disappointment. This is one of the most boring sequels I have seen in a long time. Don’t go to the theaters to see this because it will not make you happy.

Thank you for joining in on this review. In the meantime, I have to recover from this boring film and I’ll see everyone this Friday for the continuation of “Candyman Month.”