Joker: Folie à Deux, directed by Todd Phillips is a sequel to the critically acclaimed 2019 Joker, features Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as Arthur Fleck alongside Lady Gaga as Harleen Frances Quinzel. This instalment moves into musical territory, which has both intriguing and diverting and disappointing as it wasn’t as tense as the first part was.
Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck still shines in the darkest Gotham. Phoenix performs Joker as he exactly knows this character inside and out, delivering a performance that is both surprisingly spine shivering. Lady Gaga’s performance as Harley Quinn has been described as compelling yet lacking in emotional depth adding more layers to the ambiguity. The chemistry between the two leads is noted as initially strong but ultimately falters due to the film’s structure moving from a drama to a court drama where the theatrical stage was set by Todd Phillips
The most defining part of Folie à Deux is its musical format. The film opens with an imaginative sequence reminiscent of classic Warner Bros cartoons, setting a vibrant tone that is not sustained throughout. The musical elements are a fresh jazzy perspective to the often dark Gotham world, but it lacks the necessary boldness to elevate the film’s emotional stakes.
Thematically, Folie à Deux attempts to delve deeper into Arthur Fleck’s psyche and his relationship with Harley Quinn. However, the sequel doesn’t have neither the intellectual depth nor the emotional connect that a film like Joker needs.
The film suffers from pacing issues and repetitiveness. The Internal struggles suggest that this introspection may lead to a lack of engagement for audiences. But, it also feels like Phillips was too heavily relying on Arthur’s victimisation, the film loses its compelling edge, turning him into “a punching bag for the world” rather than an active participant in his stories.
Joker: Folie à Deux presents an ambitious yet flawed continuation of Arthur Fleck’s journey. While Joaquin Phoenix delivers another powerful performance and Lady Gaga adds a unique flair as Harley Quinn, the film’s narrative structure and pacing leave much to be desired. As audiences grapple with this unconventional take on familiar characters, one thing remains clear: Folie à Deux is bound to spark debate about its artistic choices and thematic implications in the context of superhero (villain?) cinema.
Joker: Folie à Deux is now playing in theatres.
Rating : 2.5/5
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