(The case for arguing that) Joker: Folie à Deux is good, actually

As a film enthusiast with over two decades of watching and analyzing movies under my belt, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre. And let me tell you, dear readers, Joker: Folie à Deux falls squarely into the “interesting” category.

In 2019, the initial Joker film directed by Todd Phillips with Joaquin Phoenix portraying the complex character Arthur Fleck, a clown who is both tragic and troubled, was released. This movie earned more than a billion dollars at the box office, and it was widely praised by fans as an outstanding representation of what superhero films could become if they aimed for artistic excellence.

Over the recent weekend, the follow-up to the hit film titled “Joker: Madness Duet” was released. Directors Phillips and Phoenix reprised their roles, with Lady Gaga joining them as the Joker’s comic book partner, Harley Quinn. However, it seems that the audience isn’t too fond of it. The movie has received scathing reviews from both critics and fans alike, with numerous negative comments flooding social media. Moreover, it appears to be on course to earn a fraction of the money its predecessor did, despite costing almost four times as much to produce. It is highly likely that the increased budget is due to the high salaries paid to Phillips, Phoenix, and Gaga. Under such circumstances, it isn’t entirely inappropriate to feel a sense of schadenfreude as the movie struggles financially; if they had invested as much in the sequel as they did in the original (and there’s nothing about “Madness Duet” that suggests they couldn’t), the film would likely be profitable by now.

In summary, while I personally didn’t find “Joker: Folie à Deux” appealing due to its gloomy atmosphere, inconsistent musical sequences, and confusing action climax, some reactions to the film have been quite extreme. For instance, IndieWire describes the movie as a form of collective punishment through blockbuster filmmaking. Rolling Stone suggests that the film carries a message for fans: “Take a hike.” No Scoops Club even questions if the director intentionally made the movie bad to ensure its failure.

This critique seems more than just an impartial assessment of the film’s strengths and weaknesses; it feels subjective, even harsh. It feels like an accumulation of criticism. And when that occurs, the skeptic within me yearns to defend. I want to argue, at least a little, that the movie Joker: Folie à Deux is, in fact, well-made.

Beware MAJOR SPOILERS for Joker: Folie à Deux below!

The primary issue causing dissatisfaction among viewers concerning the movie centers around how the main character, Arthur Fleck (also known as the Joker), was portrayed. In the initial film, we witnessed Arthur’s transformation from a mentally ill outcast to a gleeful instigator of disorder. Given that this is a spin-off from the Batman universe, many viewers anticipated that the sequel would continue his story, ultimately transitioning him from an agent of chaos into the true embodiment of chaos – the Clown Prince of Crime, who has been causing Batman’s life to be filled with colorful turmoil for almost a century.

Rather than reinforcing the Joker persona, the character portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix in “Folie à Deux” continues to embody the delusional, awkward, and feeble Arthur from the early parts of “Joker”. Instead of embracing this persona, he views it as a burden that weighs him down with unattainable expectations. His emotional peak occurs during his trial for the murders committed in the first movie; he acts as his own lawyer, confessing to the jury that no Joker truly exists, only him. This confession of vulnerability causes Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga, and other admirers to abandon him. In the end, a fellow inmate, known as “Young Inmate”, stabs Arthur in prison, then gives himself a Glasgow Smile and laughs hysterically. The implication is that this young inmate will transform into the legendary Joker we all know while Arthur dies shamefully on the prison floor.

It’s not hard to see why some might feel disappointed by these events: they anticipated the grand ascent of the Joker and received a tale about a pathetic man overwhelmed by his notoriety, falling apart. However, I believe the plot twists align with the narrative of the initial film. Arthur is not a cunning mastermind; he’s far from that, being an unstable individual reacting to life’s difficulties in chaotic ways, eventually garnering public admiration for it. There’s no indication that this character has the capacity for anything other than disappearing, which is exactly what happens in “Folie à Deux.

In “Folie à Deux,” the theme remains consistent throughout the film. The story begins with an animated sequence showing Arthur struggling with his own dark side, symbolizing how his reputation has grown bigger than he can manage. This idea is further developed in a subplot where his lawyer attempts to prove insanity by suggesting that the Joker is like a “shadow” persona that compels Arthur to perform reprehensible acts. Essentially, the movie revolves around Arthur’s identity crisis from beginning to end.

Joker: Folie à Deux isn’t good (actually), but it’s better than its reputation

In other words, I’m advocating for the film “Joker: Folie à Deux“. Let me continue, one aspect I wholeheartedly praise is its cinematography by Lawrence Sher, which is strikingly breathtaking. The film employs very little special effects and offers numerous stunning shots. Therefore, in my opinion, the movie warrants some recognition for this reason alone.

I strongly believe that the movie maintains a clear and consistent self-image, and it wouldn’t be subjected to such intense scrutiny if it weren’t connected to the Batman universe or carrying the weight of fan expectations associated with the iconic character, the Joker. If Joker and Folie à Deux were standalone films without the Batman connection, I believe audiences would respond more favorably.

As a devoted Batman fan, I can’t help but acknowledge that these movies are indeed spinoffs, and the expectations are high. Frankly, I understand why people might feel upset about what Phillips and his team presented us with. From the outset, it seemed like the movie was in a tough spot. The first Joker successfully balanced on a tightrope – it was both a superhero spinoff and a gritty drama reminiscent of Martin Scorsese’s early work, a personal tale about an isolated misfit who finds momentary redemption in darkness.

To clarify, despite Joker: Folie à Deux‘s internal consistency in terms of theme, there are still issues that need addressing. For instance, it doesn’t make the movie more enjoyable to watch, Joaquin Phoenix’s singing abilities don’t improve due to the film, and the sudden action twist at the end feels out of place. In my opinion, the movie has its flaws in several aspects, but I think it’s being unfairly criticized online. I am curious if, with some distance from the initial controversy, people will reconsider the movie’s merits.

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2024-10-07 23:42