Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) - Review
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© 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Written by: Scott Silver, Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Zazie Beetz, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener
Runtime: 138 min
Synopsis: Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that's always been inside him.
© 2024 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.
Editor's Note: Original review was written for Talking Films. Full article can be found below.
REVIEW SUMMARY
Joker: Folie à Deux holds immense technical and artistic merit, but it fails to replicate the success and impact of the original. Todd Phillips’ boldness in turning the film into a musical is admirable, but the execution ends up being incoherent, with abrupt transitions between the dark drama and the musical numbers, resulting in a jarring experience, made even more frustrating by the studio’s embarrassing secrecy about the movie’s format. While visually impressive and with standout performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the lack of thematic and character development makes this sequel an ambitious yet ultimately disappointing attempt that adds little to the thought-provoking study presented in 2019.
