Joker: Folie À Deux

 

“🎶 Sing ‘Hallelujah’, come on get happy, get ready for the judgement day 🎶”

Bleak, harsh and tragic, Joker: Folie À Deux is an equally anguished and romantic delusional fantasy full of surrealist escapist moments to balance the depressing darkness of Arthur Fleck’s faltering life with stunning sequences, strong soliloquies and a sharp contrast between supporting someone’s story, or co-opting it into your own.

Discussion Points:

Once again Todd Phillips has crafted a divisive and controversial film that is somehow both subtle and unsubtle, hopeful yet tragic - a musically escapist delusional fantasy that shows you can only have so much sympathy for the devil. The film feels like both a sequel to the events of the first, and a response to the events that surrounded the firsts release - as Phillips explores the dangers of co-opting someone else’s tragedy for your own personal glory. Joaquin Phoenix delivers another incredible performance as the sullen Arthur Fleck who’s bleak, cruel life lends itself both to tragedy and comedy. In a strong supporting role, Lady Gaga delivers a great fresh take on Harley “Lee” Quinn that flips the script on who is the controlling gaslighter in the relationship and scene stealing performances from Brendan Gleeson and a heartbreaking Leigh Gill returning as Gary Puddles are further highlights in the ensemble. The title Folie À Deux meaning folly of two is also a homonym for Folly Adieu - meaning fool’s goodbye - and the film perfectly services both titles as it depicts the folly of Fleck and Quinn, and their ultimate story ends. The thematic soundtrack selections and surrealist fantasy stage sequences serve both as an escape for the audience and the films characters from the bleak, harsh and cruel world of Gotham, whilst also giving Gaga and Phoenix ample opportunity to theatrically shine, in addition to the cinematography, sound, editing, production, costuming and makeup teams. As an examination of mental health it’s still frustrating, misrepresents and feels messy, but as a commentary on cultural co-opting of characters for your own credit it’s fascinating - and the courtroom drama puts both Joker the person and the concept on full trial for all to see. Come on get happy… and get ready for the judgement day.