The critical response to Joker: Folie à Deux, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, has been mixed, with some praising its boldness while others found it lacking in excitement. Described by some as both "bleak and daring," others have called it "dull and plodding." Directed and co-written by Todd Phillips, the sequel debuted at the Venice Film Festival, where Geoffrey Macnab of The Independent called it "as bleak and daring as the original."
However, IndieWire's David Ehrlich had a much less favourable view, stating that the film "feels bad on purpose" and lamenting that it was "boring, flat, and a criminal waste of Lady Gaga's talent, deserving a public hearing."
A Continuation of Divisive Opinions
The reception of Folie à Deux mirrors that of the original Joker film, which divided critics upon its 2019 release. While Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Arthur Fleck won him an Oscar, and the film took home the prestigious Golden Lion at Venice, opinions on the film’s merit varied. It became the first R-rated movie to surpass the $1 billion mark at the global box office, a testament to its impact despite the contrasting reviews.
In the sequel, Lady Gaga portrays Harley Quinn, the Joker's romantic partner, and sings alongside Phoenix, who reprises his role as the troubled Arthur Fleck. Gaga, who attended the premiere with her fiancé, Michael Polansky, explained her decision to join the film, expressing that she wanted to offer viewers an escape and a chance to "feel good about life." In an interview with Vogue, she shared that her personal experiences with mania and chaos helped her shape her portrayal of Harley Quinn.
A Polarizing Musical Adventure
Much of the film's criticism centres around its musical elements, which critics found either refreshing or a misstep. Ehrlich remarked that director Todd Phillips seemed uninterested in delivering visually captivating musical sequences. He pointed out that the musical numbers felt "pared down into dull cabaret arrangements" and were shot against a "black void of imagination."
In contrast, Macnab awarded the film four stars, noting the standout performances from a "stirring, emaciated Joaquin Phoenix" and an "appealingly cruel and feline" Lady Gaga. He praised Phillips for his creativity, as the film shifted between various genres, from animated segments inspired by Looney Tunes to a prison drama, musical, and even a courtroom scene. Macnab acknowledged that while the lines between fantasy and reality are intentionally blurred, the movie remains "edgy and disturbing" like its predecessor.
Mixed Reviews on the Chemistry Between Phoenix and Gaga
Not all critics were as enthusiastic. The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney called the film "frustrating" but highlighted its moments of brilliance when Phoenix and Gaga sing and dance together. Screen Daily's Tim Grierson noted that the two leads "fail to spark" and that the film lacks the depth that made the original so compelling. Nevertheless, he predicted the sequel would still perform well at the box office.
The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw was more forgiving, calling the sequel "claustrophobic and repetitive," but also finding it an improvement over the first film. He appreciated the structure brought by the musical sequences, comparing them to Dennis Potter's Pennies from Heaven.
Pete Hammond from Deadline called the film a "head-spinning follow-up," praising its ambitious production and the return of composer Hildur Gudnadottir, whose work on the original film won her an Oscar. He described Folie à Deux as a unique blend of "song, dance, comedy, darkness, animation, and violence," though he remained uncertain whether it could even be classified as a musical.
Bold But Polarizing
While some critics, like The Wrap's William Bibbiani, appreciated the film's "impressively odd" nature, others, such as The Evening Standard's Jo-Ann Titmarsh, were left unimpressed, calling it "depressingly dull and plodding."
At the film’s premiere, Joaquin Phoenix appeared alongside his sister Rain Phoenix. Phoenix, who had lost weight for his role in the original Joker, faced questions about his physical transformation once again. Reflecting on the experience, he acknowledged that the process was more challenging this time due to the dance-heavy nature of the sequel, admitting that while it was "safe," he probably wouldn't undergo such a transformation again.
Director Todd Phillips had previously explained that his vision for the Joker character involved him being "malnourished, thin, and hungry," a physicality Phoenix embodied in both films. Despite the challenges, the actor delivered another intense performance, though some critics, like Variety's Owen Gleiberman, felt the film held back on fully exploring the dangerous side of the Joker. Gleiberman described the movie as a "cracked jukebox musical" but felt it "doesn’t let Joker be Joker enough."
Conclusion
The early reactions to Joker: Folie à Deux have been polarizing, with critics either applauding its unique blend of musical elements and crime drama or dismissing it as dull and uninspired. Joaquin Phoenix’s return as Arthur Fleck and Lady Gaga’s portrayal of Harley Quinn has garnered praise from some, while others feel the film falls short of its potential. As the movie’s official release approaches, audiences will soon get the chance to weigh in on this highly anticipated sequel and decide whether it lives up to the expectations set by its predecessor. Joker: Folie à Deux will be released in UK cinemas on October 4. Whether it will match the commercial and critical success of its predecessor remains to be seen.
Test your knowledge of Hollywood. Visit: https://www.quizzop.com/hollywood-quiz/category
