When the sequel to Joker was announced, expectations were naturally high. Joker (2019) was a monumental hit, not just because of Joaquin Phoenix’s masterful portrayal of a troubled, marginalized man, but for its realism, social commentary and the raw, uncomfortable truths it forced audiences to confront. So when Joker: Folie à Deux was introduced as a musical thriller, I was initially intrigued. But after watching it, that intrigue quickly turned to disappointment.
The decision to make this film a musical was bold, but bold does not always mean good. While musicals can elevate a film by offering deeper emotional expression through song, here it felt a little too much. What made the original film compelling was its immersive atmosphere grimy, suffocating and deeply personal. By contrast, these over-the-top musical scenes detracted from the psychological intensity, making it hard to take any of the more serious moments seriously.
The core of the movie was shockingly weak. It lacked the depth and nuance of its predecessor, often feeling like it was trying too hard to replicate the success of the first film without the same emotional weight. What we got instead was a convoluted mess, with disjointed subplots and a lack of clear direction. It seemed like the writers could not decide whether they wanted this to be an exploration of Psychotic madness or simply another chaotic descent into the Joker’s mind. In the end, it was neither.
Joaquin Phoenix is undeniably one of the best actors of our time, but even his dedication to the role could not save Joker: Folie à Deux. His portrayal of the Joker, while still engaging, was weighed down by the film’s lack of Plot. In many scenes, it felt like Phoenix was left to carry the entire movie on his shoulders. It was a frustrating experience to watch an actor of his caliber struggle to bring life to a film that did not seem to know what it wanted to be.
The addition of Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga, had the potential to bring a fresh dynamic to the film. Her portrayal of Quinn felt flat, lacking the vibrant, unhinged energy that fans associate with the character. The relationship between her and Phoenix which should have been the core of the movie, felt more like a plot device. Instead of exploring the tragic complexities of their shared delusions, the film gave us a shallow, melodramatic romance that did little to resonate emotionally.
One of the few redeeming qualities was its visual presentation. The cinematography was striking, with vivid, surreal imagery that mirrored the Joker’s unstable psyche. But beautiful visuals can only go so far. The film lacked the emotional core that made the original so compelling. Instead of feeling immersed in Arthur Fleck’s world of madness, I found myself detached, unable to connect with his struggles or sympathize with his struggle.
What made Joker (2019) a success was its ability to make us question society’s treatment of the marginalized and mentally ill, forcing us to confront uncomfortable truths about the world we live in. This film attempted to build on this foundation, but instead, it drifted off into nonsensical territory. Rather than offering a deeper exploration of Arthur’s psyche or a fresh take on his relationship with Harley Quinn.
This film is a prime example of a sequel that should never have been made. Instead of expanding on the rich themes of the first film, it sacrificed substance for style. While there are moments of brilliance, particularly in Phoenix’s performance, but even that could not save the film. In the end, this film felt like a missed opportunity, a shallow follow-up to a film that deserved a much better sequel.
Rating: 5/10⭐️
No comments:
Post a Comment