The Mosley Review: Joker: Folie à Deux

Why? Why is the question that I beseech any storyteller to answer when making a film or even a sequel. Is it out of a thirst to finish a story that you began? Is it to live a bit longer with the characters or to reveal what is next for them? Is it to the second half of a planned multi-part story? Those are just a few questions I had going into this film and I have to say that a few questions were answered, but the biggest question I had came at the end of the film. Was this next chapter in the story truly necessary? The first film was a dark, heavy and true breathe of fresh air in the varied history of the iconic DC character. It gave us a look into a more disturbed and heartbreaking real person and didn't relent. It had an ending that was perfect and didn't need explaining. For the first half of the film, this film continues that same quality of storytelling that incorporates classic songs and uses them to illustrate the fantastical nature of the titular characters' mental state. Its brilliant and fun, but then the second half truly negates alot of it and left me feeling like all that potential was wasted. Its a sad day when you see so much love a care infused in a story that clearly was going somewhere, crash and fall apart under its own creative ambition.

Joaquin Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck / Joker and he continues to add the same level of depth, wonderment and pain to his performance. We get alot of answers to the theories of the first film about the Arthur and many were great. I loved that there was a glimpse of his confidence returning as he fully re-embraces his true self as Joker. The problem here is that we knew alot about him already from the first film that it felt like a blatant retread. In the musical portions of the film, Arthur / Joker came to life in the most entertaining, vibrant and violent way possible. What I didn't like is the amount of easy mental manipulation that happens to him throughout. It goes along with the theme of mental anguish, but it felt not as smartly executed. Lady Gaga was excellent as his love interest Harleen "Lee" Quinzel. Of course she showcases her impeccable vocal prowess, but Gaga is a force of nature in her acting abilities. She captures your heart immediately and you see the instant chemistry between her Arthur seared into legend. It was a darkly woven love story that you wish to see play out and it does in the many vibrant musical sequences. The best scene between them in my opinion was the visitor scene that is in the trailer. It gives you the definition and direction of their relationship which was cool and disappointing. Brendan Gleeson was perfectly horrible and abusive as the Arkham State Hospital guard, Jackie Sullivan. He had a rapport with Arthur that had moments of levity, but never strayed too far from the awful truth of abuse. Harry Lawtey was great as Harvey Dent. He nailed that confident, law abiding nature of the character and he was a true standout in the court room section of the film.

Composer Hildur Guðnadóttir returns and delivers yet another moody, dark and heavy tone to the film. I loved that her score was interwoven into the many musical sequences and sometimes ended them. The musical sequences are truly the star of the film and they vary from homages of Sunny and Cher to the classic 1930's and 1940's French inspired scenery. My favorite was the stunning, violent and comedic number "The Joker is me". It adds many layers to the character and the tone of the sequence. Where this film falls apart for me, is the betrayal of the second half. It started off on such a high note of a man that was demoralized and once he finally re-embraces his true self, everything gets snatched away. Why didn't the story commit to the direction of a tragic love story? It was on its way to be a much darker version of Sid and Nancy that would've been sweet. Instead, we are treated to an end that pretty much insults the audience and destroys any sense of purpose for this bloated story. I get the message of the ending, but it was just unnecessary. This film gave me a flashback to Rob Zombie's horrible Halloween 2 and how that film was a middle finger to the studio from a visually impressive storyteller. What a waste of potential. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!