Joker: Folie à Deux - A Sequel That Misses the Mark
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| Joker Folie a Deux Review |
Introduction
As a massive Joker fan, I had high hopes for the
sequel, especially with Todd Phillips returning as the writer and director
after the success of the first Joker movie starring Joaquin Phoenix. However, Joker:
Folie à Deux turned out to be a confusing blend of themes and genres that left
me questioning its overall purpose. Let’s break down the movie in more detail,
starting with its strengths before diving into its many shortcomings.
Cinematic Brilliance: Visuals and Performances
One of the strongest aspects of Joker: Folie à Deux is
its stunning visual presentation. The film is a feast for the eyes, with
exceptional lighting, production design, and cinematography. Phillips uses
unbroken tracking shots and meticulously crafted set designs to immerse the
audience into this world. Even the musical sequences, despite their
questionable relevance, are visually impressive.
As always, Joaquin Phoenix delivers a phenomenal
performance. It’s clear that Phoenix did not phone it in, even if the script
didn’t quite support his talent this time around. His portrayal of Arthur
Fleck/Joker is as compelling as ever, showcasing the stark contrast between
Arthur’s timid demeanor and the confident, unhinged personality of Joker.
The Plot: A Tale of Two Films
The plot of Joker: Folie à Deux feels disjointed,
almost like two separate movies awkwardly mashed together. The first half of
the movie focuses on Arthur’s life in the grim confines of Arkham Asylum, where
he meets a superfan stalker. Their relationship seems to blossom into something
twisted and complicated, but the lack of focus makes it difficult to connect
with their story.
The second half shifts to a courtroom drama, where
Arthur is put on trial for his crimes in the first film. This transition is
jarring and makes the film feel uneven. The courtroom scenes are meant to
explore the idea that Arthur Fleck and the Joker are two distinct
personalities. However, this concept, which could have been deeply fascinating,
ends up being repetitive and drawn-out.
Musical Sequences: Distraction or Artistic Expression?
The inclusion of musical numbers in Joker: Folie à Deux
has been a controversial choice. The first couple of sequences, set in a
singing therapy class, felt like they could add something unique to the film.
Unfortunately, as the movie progresses, these musical numbers become
increasingly unnecessary, making it feel like they were included just to give
Lady Gaga, who plays Arthur’s love interest, a platform to sing.
The musical sequences occasionally serve to illustrate
a point, but more often than not, they detract from the story. Instead of using
dialogue or scenes to drive home emotional beats, the movie resorts to musical
distractions, creating an inconsistent tone that muddles the narrative flow.
Lady Gaga’s Role: A Superfan Turned Love Interest
Lady Gaga’s character starts as a superfan stalker who
becomes romantically entangled with Arthur. While her performance is strong and
engaging, her character arc feels forced and one-dimensional. It’s clear that
the filmmakers wanted to give her character a prominent role, potentially
setting her up as Harley Quinn, but it ends up overshadowing Arthur’s
development.
The result is a movie that feels more like a showcase
for Lady Gaga rather than a true continuation of Arthur’s story. Instead of
exploring Arthur’s evolution as the Joker, Folie à Deux backtracks on his
character, reducing him to a shell of his former self who only finds confidence
through his relationship.
Missed Opportunities: Harvey Dent and Fresh Perspectives
One glaring missed opportunity in the movie is the lack
of focus on Harvey Dent. With the courtroom setting taking up much of the
runtime, a storyline involving Dent could have provided a fresh perspective and
deeper engagement with the legal consequences of Arthur’s actions. Exploring
Dent’s descent into madness alongside Arthur’s own would have added complexity
and intrigue, making the movie feel more justified as a sequel.
Verdict: A Sequel That Fails to Live Up to Its Predecessor
In conclusion, Joker: Folie à Deux is a muddled sequel
that falls short of the expectations set by its predecessor. The movie suffers
from an identity crisis, struggling to decide whether it wants to be a
character-driven psychological drama, a courtroom thriller, or a musical. The
result is a film that, despite its visual brilliance and strong performances,
lacks coherence and focus.
If you had any doubts about Joker: Folie à Deux, they
were probably justified. Like The Hangover Part II was to The Hangover, this
sequel feels like an uninspired cash grab, more concerned with recapturing the
financial success of the first movie than delivering a compelling story. For
Joker fans like myself, it’s disappointing to see a once-promising film series
reduced to a forgettable experience.
Summery
Joker: Folie à Deux is a visually stunning but
unfocused sequel that struggles to recapture the brilliance of its predecessor.
The film’s plot feels disjointed, divided between Arthur Fleck’s time in Arkham
Asylum and a lackluster courtroom drama, while repetitive musical sequences,
seemingly included to showcase Lady Gaga’s singing, distract from the
narrative. Although Joaquin Phoenix delivers a compelling performance, the
character’s development is undermined as he reverts to his pre-Joker persona.
Missed opportunities, such as exploring Harvey Dent, make the film feel like an
uninspired follow-up, reminiscent of how The Hangover Part II failed its
original.
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