JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX is a crazy ride with a complicated narrative Movie Review: JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX is a crazy ride
Star Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga
Director: Todd Phillips
Joker: Folie à Deux Movie Review Synopsis: JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX is the story of a nihilistic man who finds a lover. After the events of the first part, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is institutionalized at Arkham State Hospital for killing five men, including one on live television. Arthur hasn’t told anyone that his mother Penny Fleck (Frances Conroy) didn’t die naturally and that it was him who murdered her. He's represented by Maryanne Stewart (Catherine Keener), who sympathizes with Arthur and wants to prove in court that he has a split personality. Further, she wants to indicate to the jury that it was Joker and not Arthur that caused these killings. In Arkham, Arthur bumps into Lee (Lady Gaga). She has been institutionalized after she set fire to her parents' apartment. She knows about Arthur's past and is a fan. Both start a relationship in the prison. Lee is set free and she promises to attend his trials and that they both can have a future together. Lee's presence adds a lot of joy in Arthur's life. However, reality strikes when Maryanne tells Arthur about Lee's past. What happens next forms the rest of the film.
Joker: Folie à Deux Movie Story Review: Todd Phillips and Scott Silver's story is simple but they attempt to add a unique touch. However, Todd Phillips and Scott Silver's screenplay doesn't turn out as intended. The film is a bit confusing and a few of the developments in the story are not convincing at all. Todd Phillips and Scott Silver's dialogues are sharp.
Todd Phillips' direction is audacious as he takes the bold step of turning a film like this into a musical. The love affair between Arthur and Lee is also cinematic and makes for an interesting watch. A few courtroom scenes also stand out, especially when Arthur loses his cool over Maryanne's ways in the court and Arthur, dressed as Joker, questions Leigh Gill (Gary Puddles).
On the flipside, the musical aspect backfires in places. This is not a Disney or even a LA LA LAND [2016] kind of film; to see the characters breaking out into a song at regular interviews seems awkward. Also, there are too many songs and it adds to the length. The final scene is unexpected but it also might not seem acceptable to many moviegoers.
Joker: Folie à Deux Movie Review Performances: Joaquin Phoenix yet again steals the show. The impact might not seem as much as the first JOKER. This was probably because, during the first part, we didn’t know his performance would be this awesome. Here, our expectations are set. Nevertheless, he does a great job yet again. Lady Gaga is apt for the part. The way she gets into the skin of the character and performs merely through her expressions is seen to be believed. Her voice, of course, is soothing. Catherine Keener lends able support. Leigh Gill shines though he’s there for just one scene. The same applies to Steve Coogan (Paddy Meyers). Bill Smitrovich (Judge Herman Rothwax) and Brendan Gleeson (Jackie Sullivan) leave a huge mark. Harry Lawtey (Harvey Dent) and Ken Leung (Dr Liu) are fair. Zazie Beetz (Sophie Dumond; Arthur's neighbour) is okay in a cameo. Jacob Lofland is hardly there but will be talked about a lot.
Joker: Folie à Deux movie music and other technical aspects: Hildur Guðnadóttir's music is lovely but doesn't have the desired impact Hildur Guðnadóttir's background score, however, is appropriate.
Lawrence Sher's cinematography adds to the madness and chaos. Mark Friedberg's production design is top-class. Arianne Phillips's costumes are stylish, especially the ones worn by Lady Gaga, and also in sync with the theme of the film. The VFX matches global standards while the action is realistic. Jeff Groth's editing could have been slicker.
Joker: Folie à Deux Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX is a crazy ride but the impact is limited this time due to the complicated narrative and too many songs. At the box office, the clean run until October 11 and the goodwill of the first part will prove beneficial to some extent.
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