The problem with making a brilliant film is where do you go from there? Do you leave it as a stand-alone piece of cinematic brilliance, or do you try to expand on what you have created. That is the question that filmmaker Todd Phillips was left with after the success of Joker back in 2019.
Joker was a remarkable film that transcended anything that had ever happened with a comic book movie previously. Fans loved it, critics applauded it and the film even managed to win 2 Oscars while being nominated for 9 others. Then there was the performance of Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator) – not only did he win awards for it but he had his peers enthralled with what they called ‘a performance for the ages.’
So where was Phillips and his team to go after that? Do you just continue with the story, do you try to do something completely different or do you try to reach out into the DC Comics universe and try to bring other characters into the plot.
The choice made by Phillips was to try and do a little bit of each and deliver Joker: Folie A Deux but I have to say that even after letting the dust settle for a few days after watching the film for a few days I have to say that I am still not absolutely convinced that this movie has won me over – in fact I feel that it may have even been lacking a little.
The plot itself picks up not long after the events of the original film. Arthur Fleck aka The Joker (Phoenix) is in Arkham Asylum under the watchful eye of guards like Jackie Sullivan (Brendan Gleeson – The Guard).
Arthur is considered somewhat of a celebrity both inside and out of Arkham. Inside it feels like inmates and even Jackie are in awe of him while outside an army of supporters protest about him being incarcerated – something that is angering officials including prosecutor Harvey Dent (Harry Lawtey – The Pale Blue Eye) who is trying to build a strong enough case to have Arthur off the streets forever.
For Arthur it feels like he is trapped inside in his own little musical world where his fantasies are played out in his mind with Broadway flair, and that is only further enhanced when he meets an inmate that seems to ‘get him’ – Lee Quinzel (Lady Gaga – A Star Is Born). Before long the two are madly in love and Arthur is fighting for his freedom in the court room.
Okay, so why am I so divided with my thoughts on Joker: Folie A Deux? Well first of all I have to pay credit to the performances of Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga and Brendan Gleeson. It is their performances that recapture some of the magic of the original film.
Lady Gaga brings a more human side to the character of Harley Quinn that what we have previously seen from Margot Robbie. That is not to take anything away from Robbie because the briefs the two actress were very, very different. Robbie is playing a whimsical more disturbed version of Quinn while Lady Gaga is playing a deeply serious version where the audience is left questioning her end-game.
Then there are the scenes between Phoenix and Gleeson. Gleeson brilliantly plays a very three-dimensional prison guard – one that goes from observing Fleck like he can’t live without him and then a day later wanting to beat his head in. His frustration is almost reminiscent of what the audience is going through while watching the film.
But of course what most people are interested in here is the performance of Joaquin Phoenix. Once again he brings his A-game and is completely enchanting as he takes the audience into a world of metal illness rarely depicted like this on screen. And whether or not he is delivering one of The Joker’s song and dance delusions or taking up the role of Ringmaster in the Court Room Phoenix delivers in such a way that he should at least once again be at least nominated for some of the major awards in Hollywood this year.
Those musical pieces are what separates this film from the original and they do it in a pretty special way – but I would say just perhaps there were one or two numbers too many – but Phillips does use them remarkably well and it is creative approach to revealing the extent of Fleck’s mental illness.
Where my issue with Joker: Folie A Deux lies is the with the finale. I give credit to Phillips it is a complete surprise to the audience but at the same time it is the kind of pay-off that leaves you feeling a little cheated. Yes, it is creative and hits you in the face like The Joker’s hammer but without going into spoiler territory I have to say it also left me thinking “well why have I just sat through two films to get to this point if everything I have just watched is a lie.”
With that ending in mind I found myself even questioning why Harley Quinn got brought into this – is it a waste of one of DC’s most intriguing characters or will Phillips expand this universe even more now? What I am sure of though is that like me most people will like Joker: Folie A Deux and not love it the way they did the original which may cause some issues for Phillips if he does want to venture more into the world of DC.
The best way to face Joker: Folie A Deux is to go into it expecting something very, very different. By all means be entertained, be impressed but also be prepared for a finale that may not leave you completely fulfilled.
3/5 Stars
