Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), Dir Todd Phillips, Warner Bros. Pictures, 3✩✩✩. Review: Matthew Alicoon

Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), Dir Todd Phillips, Warner Bros. Pictures.

3✩✩✩ Review: Matthew Alicoon

Running Time: 138 Minutes

“A dramatic tonal contrast that negates fan service.”

Joker: Folie à Deux follows Arthur Fleck at Arkham State Hospital, awaiting trial for the crimes he committed two years ago. Whilst at Arkham, Arthur meets and falls for Harley Quinn.

The bravery of Todd Philips is exceptionally courageous and daring, as to a pedigree he seems focused on creating such a distinctively and peculiar exploration for the characters. The audaciousness within the film is valiant yet walks a fine line of being precarious at times. There is a distinguishing focus from Scott Silver and Todd Phillips on how these events have psychologically impacted Arthur. The film sustains burning themes from the first film of society creating monsters and what does the Joker stand for. However, the confliction kicks in, due to the musical numbers feeling tonally mismatched and at times ill-judged. At times, the musical numbers may lead to a disconnect. The courtroom drama was proficiently constructed, with moments that carry a calibre of an electrifying 5 star magnitude. It is a shame that the film can feel scattered rather than a cohesive piece.

Joaquin Phoenix is once again magnetic with maintaining the drama, as he compellingly propels into the multi-faceted range that Arthur Fleck has, as an individual. Lady Gaga reflects a humanising and sympathetic nature to Harley Quinn, a stark contrast from Margot Robbie’s chaotic portrayal of Harley Quinn. Phoenix and Gaga ground the drama in an authentic manner. Despite a small roll, Leigh Gill returns as Gary Puddles. Gill turns in an astoundingly prevailing performance, emphasising the true fear of who the Joker is and enthrals with his mesmerising return in arguably the best scene of the film.

A heavy discussion point of the film will be the musical numbers. Lawrence Sher’s stunningly picturesque cinematography gorgeously brings the songs to life. However, at times the music almost gives the film a channel hopping feel. There is an enthralling crime drama underneath the musical numbers and removing the music would not have changed too much about the film. With Joker Folie à Deux being marketed as a musical, this is problematic as the tones never cohesively formulate into one solid film. Lady Gaga’s solo performances are masterful. Phoenix’s singing never matched the level as Lady Gaga’s. At times their double acts can feel questionable, in terms of what is being provided to the narrative.

There is richness in complexities within Joker Folie à Deux regarding the core thematic of mental health. The musical numbers underpinning the drama sadly get lost in the mix. An admirability for Todd Phillips’ has to be commended, as the film is the furthest conceptualisation of going against fan service. The ending will leave many of us talking for a while.

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck / Joker

Lady Gaga as Harleen Lee Quinzel

Brendan Gleeson as Jackie Sullivan

Catherine Keener as Maryanne Stewart

Zazie Beetz as Sophie Dumond

Steve Coogan as Paddy Meyers

Harry Lawtey as Harvey Dent

Leigh Gill as Gary Puddles

Creatives

Director – Todd Phillips

Screenwriters – Scott Silver & Todd Phillips

Producers – Todd Phillips, Emma Tillinger Koskoff & Joseph Garner

Cinematographer – Lawrence Sher

Editor – Jeff Growth

Music - Hildur Guðnadóttir