Joker: Folie a Deux – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Joker: Folie a Deux – Clowns of Contradiction: Fools in Twos

When a journey begins, it is a natural course of something that feels genuine and true.  As it continues, it will eventually turn towards unknown reveals.  This feeling of anticipation can provide worth, but in the medium of film … expectation can derail what is truly being shown on the big screen.  In this review, I look at the sequel to a popular IP.  Within this latest chapter, we head down a road that reflects the nature of awkward reveals and head scratching moments.  For all its worth, Joker: Folie a Deux is a triggering experience of who really is the man behind the makeup.

This is the continued story of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), as he faces an uncertain future of life, trials and the new avenues of love.  To begin, I must first touch upon the aspect of expectations.  As film fans, we head into any new journey with a hope of finding some worth in the escape.  With this being a sequel to a very popular (and award winning) film (Joker), it continues down the avenue of loose threads and alluring factors into the deconstruction of ‘who is Arthur Fleck’.  Taking place a few years after the original film, Fleck has been institutionalized at Arkham as he awaits trial for murder.  The first act provides a re-introduction to the character, layering moments that showcase a grim outlook for his future.  After a few conversational scenes, Fleck comes across an individual (also institutionalized), that shows some cadence towards his clown prince persona.  Lee Quinzel (Lady Gaga), sudden admiration enables Fleck (mentally) to find renewed purpose in his ‘Joker’ persona, leading the film into a second act of absurdist scenes and melancholy moments.  As the journey weaves through realistic and imaginary perspectives, the strength of the film comes in that continued deconstruction of Fleck’s duality.  For all of this ‘potential’ that sparks within our two main characters, the actualization of motive becomes the dagger to the enjoyment of the journey.  What you have (in this film) is an absolute abandonment of cohesion … a plotting of points that never really amount to being anything more than style over substance.  For all the potential, the lackluster of direction hinders what is great within our main two leads. 

As the journey continues towards the eventual trial, the unhinging direction leaves a story dancing between manic messaging and hollow musical motifs.  The abstract nature of scenes leaves you wanting more, especially when the fragment tone is held together by great acting from Phoenix and Gaga.  As everything starts to unravel within the duality of Fleck’s mind, we head into a third act that does a sudden shift into unexpected delight.  As everything settles within unknown territory, it builds towards a climax and epilogue that will have the audience feeling an epiphany or a dagger in their backs.  Joker: Folie a Deux is a mixed back of great acting and lost potential.  If you are fan of those involved or are just curious, there might be something here for you.  For whatever reason, if you want to watch this … a Friday Night Rental would suit your needs.

Full Score – 2.5 out of 5 (Friday Night Rental)