By Penny Theodorakopoulou,
The much-awaited Joker: Folie à Deux, the follow-up to the hugely successful Joker (2019), promises to take audiences back inside the insane head of Arthur Fleck, the unfortunate man who eventually turned into the notorious villain. The first movie was a powerful character study with a realistic, gritty foundation. Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for his captivating performance, which was praised by critics. Fans were excited to see where filmmaker Todd Phillips would take Arthur Fleck in the upcoming follow-up, since it had been announced. The bold decision to change the genre from a psychological thriller to a dark, surreal musical, which has divided reviewers and viewers alike, was something that many may not have anticipated.
The surprising and daring choice to structure the story as a musical has either impressed or disappointed fans due to its departure from Joker’s tone, even if Joker: Folie à Deux gives glimpses of the character-driven drama that marked the first film. Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck’s unadulterated intensity captured the hearts of many, so the styled musical pieces in the sequel can come across as a strange decision. Others, however, saw it as a bold and audacious step that defied the norms of comic book adaptations and sequels.
A bold shift: The musical genre
Undoubtedly, the most notable distinction between Joker: Folie à Deux and Joker is the incorporation of musical components that are prevalent throughout the bulk of the film. This is not your usual superhero movie follow-up or a simple continuation of Arthur Fleck’s bleak spiral into insanity. Rather, the story takes place in a world where the lines between reality and dream are blurred. In highly stylized, frequently surreal performances, the characters regularly break into song and dance to communicate their innermost feelings.
The movie’s musical undertones could take some viewers by surprise at first, especially those who were hoping for a tone more like that of Joker. The intricate dance sequences and songs, which span from small-scale solos to grand ensemble pieces, highlight significant points in the narrative and provide insight into the thoughts of the characters, especially Lady Gaga’s Arthur Fleck and Lady Fleck’s Harley Quinn. Some believe that this decision adds to the film’s psychological depth by making it seem more like a fever dream and reflecting Arthur’s disjointed mental state. Others find it to be an artificial and haphazard addition that breaks the suspenseful atmosphere that the first film so painstakingly created.
Joker: Folie à Deux is a comic book movie unlike any other since it chooses to embrace the musical genre with all of its inherent theatricality. However, the shift from the brutal realism that made Joker such a fascinating and original take on the comic book villain may feel startling and, at times, out of place for many, including people who liked the first film. Despite being masterfully done, the movie’s soundtrack can alienate some viewers due to its opulent, theatrical style.
Joaquin Phoenix: A return to Arthur Fleck
Returning to the role of Arthur Fleck, Joaquin Phoenix gives a performance that is still among the best in the movie. Once more, Phoenix portrays a guy whose mind is disintegrating and who is caught between his own delusions and the world’s apathy in a way that is both physically and emotionally transforming. Even as the film moves to a musical framework, Phoenix’s performance is rooted in the complicated, broken psyche of his character, allowing viewers to witness the fractures in Arthur’s reality that contribute to his bursts of musical expression.
Deeply nuanced, Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck deftly navigates the film’s tone fluctuations, which range from melancholic passages to grandiose musical pieces. His body language, which was already a standout feature of his portrayal in Joker, is used to great effect in this picture, especially during the dancing scenes where it reveals Arthur’s inner anguish. Phoenix, who plays Arthur’s battle with identification and finding his place in a world that keeps rejecting him, is riveting even when the movie takes a different tone.
One of the most memorable parts of the movie is when Arthur’s brittle sense of self breaks down during a crucial court scene. Phoenix reminds viewers of his ability to control the screen with a minor change in tone or expression by giving a disturbing performance that lingers in the mind. Phoenix’s brilliance really comes through in these more subdued, non-musical scenes.
Lady Gaga: A new Harley Quinn
Lady Gaga gives the part of Harley Quinn a fresh and very distinctive vibe. Harley has historically been portrayed as having a crazy, chaotic side, but Gaga’s interpretation of the character is more emotionally complicated and offers a tragic past that echoes Arthur’s own spiral into madness. Given Phoenix’s formidable portrayal of Arthur Fleck, she holds her own with him thanks to an engrossing performance.
The film’s musical sequences are handled deftly by Gaga, who uses her skill in music to give them a dramatic flair and depth of feeling. She and Phoenix have an obvious chemistry, and their duet scenes are among the best in the movie because they demonstrate how dedicated both performers are to their parts. The film’s excessive concentration on musical spectacle, however, may overwhelm Gaga’s performance for certain viewers, with the visual and aural extravagance of the production overshadowing her character’s growth.
Nevertheless, Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga, offers a novel interpretation of the role that delves into her fragility and her complex relationship with Arthur. Her performance, which highlights both her acting and musical talents, will probably be one of the film’s main draws for fans of the actress and singer.
Costumes, visuals, and songs: A dark spectacle
Joker: Folie à Deux is an incredibly beautiful movie in terms of visuals, with vivid and eye-catching costumes that capture the actors’ emotional moods. Changes in Arthur’s appearance are indicative of his metamorphosis; while his colorful outfits and clown makeup are back, there are new, intricate details that allude to his shattered sense of self. Harley Quinn’s outfits are also expertly designed to mirror her path, fusing parts of her comic book beginnings with a harsh, more realistic style.
The complex stage designs and choreography of the musical moments are visually stunning, fully using the surreal atmosphere of the film. The film’s locales, which range from dimly illuminated alleyways to large, dramatic stages, provide a backdrop for the characters’ inner lives and contribute to the general feeling of bewilderment and uneasiness that permeates the story.
Even though the songs are performed technically well, not every viewer may find them appealing. They range from somber ballads to more cheerful, cabaret-style tunes, each serving to emphasize the characters’ feelings and desires. Nonetheless, these scenes can seem more like pauses than essential plot points to viewers who are not big musical enthusiasts, which would take away from the suspense and drama that characterized Joker.
Joker: Folie à Deux is an audacious, experimental follow-up that, for better or worse, defies predictions. Even while Lady Gaga shines in her role as Harley Quinn and Joaquin Phoenix gives another outstanding performance as Arthur Fleck, some fans of the original movie might not be pleased with the film’s transition to a musical structure. Its visual splendor, costumes, and choreography are unquestionably amazing, but the film’s plot feels less concentrated, and the musical numbers, while imaginative, may not appeal to many viewers. But overall, the movie is a unique cinematic experience for those who are open to a more bizarre, theatrical interpretation of the Joker’s tale. However, some viewers could find themselves yearning for the previous movie’s intensity and grounded storytelling due to the film’s departure from the brutal realism of the original.
References
- Joker: Folie à Deux review – Lady Gaga electrifies in mediocre musical sequel. The Guardian. Available here
- ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’ flops at the box office, with brutal audience reviews. la times. Available here
- Review: It’s a Shame ‘Joker: Folie a Deux’ is So Dull. pajiba.com. Available here
- Joker: Folie à Deux. rogerebert.com. Available here
- Joker: Folie à Deux review – Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga musical spirals out of tune. The guardian. Available here
