Saturday, December 14, 2024
Joker: Folie à Deux
Joaquin Phoenix & Lady Gaga star as Arthur Fleck & Harleen “Lee” Quinzel in this sequel to the 2019 “Joker”. This twisted tale loosely based on 2 DC Comic villains takes a musical spin to this psychological thriller. While awaiting trial, Arthur & Lee meet in Arkham State Hospital & begin to form a relationship. Phoenix & Gaga both give outstanding performances in this “Madness of Two” subtitle. Each brings their own haunting interpretation of their comic book characters while not necessarily following their original comics’ behavior. Are these two criminals or mentally disturbed people? This is not a Batman action movie. This is a slow-moving prison/trial film contemplating the sanity of the two dark lead characters. As the trial verdict is about to be rendered, a big surprise erupts on the screen & sends the storyline spinning into another twist that may lead to a second sequel. I️ strangely did like the musical adaptations which seemed to add to the madness of the film. This was a bold artistic change of direction & I️ can see why many would be disappointed in not getting the film they wanted to see. I️ just went with the flow.
Alien gives it 2½ “when craziness doesn’t follow the anticipated “ stars out of 4.
