Joker: Folie à Deux - not as good as the first but not as bad as some are saying.
Film review: Joker: Folie à Deux (15) - seen at The Light Cinema, Wisbech
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga and Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips Run time: Two hours, 18 minutes
This film really isn't as bad as viewers and critics are making out.
I don't think it was a movie we needed - 2019’s Joker was wonderful and never required a sequel - but it's certainly a decent watch.
Having said that, I was already coming from a different place than many, who said the 2019 film was an average one made good by Phoenix's acting masterclass. I always thought it was a brilliant film propelled to greatness by Phoenix.
The follow-up starts two years after failed comedian Arthur Fleck AKA The Joker is incarcerated in a psychiatric prison for killing five (we later find out his mum makes it six) people.
His solicitor is arguing that he's not sane and suffering from a split personality, the prosecution says he's putting on an act and his huge legion of fans believe he's a hero representing the downtrodden.
After being allowed to join a prison singing group, Arthur meets Harley Quinn, the musical numbers ensue and the two quickly fall in love.
The other thing this film is being panned for is the musical numbers, often delivered in a subdued manner. Personally I think full gusto renditions wouldn't have suited Gotham City's dull, dark atmosphere. And with classics such as Get Happy, What the World Needs Now Is Love, For Once in My Life, To Love Somebody and Close To You, I certainly left the cinema with a song in my heart.
Phoenix's performance is as impressive as in 2019 but, as in that film, so much is centred on him that there's not much room for anyone else. And that's a huge pity.
Although Brendan Gleeson is superb as prison guard Jackie Sullivan, we don’t see enough of Lady Gaga. Anyone who has seen Gaga in A Star Is Born or House of Gucci will know she's every bit as captivating as Phoenix... but her character is one dimensional and her lines lightweight.
The film is well-paced, the plot is decent without being riveting and the conclusion is satisfying. So yes, not as good as the first but no, definitely not as bad as some are saying.
By Jeremy Ransome
Rating: 7/10