JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX - Film Review by Armaan Habib

One of my main takeaways from the first film was how much I enjoyed the dismay of the average viewer. They were so angry that this was not a thrilling Batman film. I found it in the spirit of the film and a massive middle finger to that particular group. Instead, we focus on a failed stand-up comedian/party clown , Arthur Fleck, his struggle living with mental illness and how society fails him by treating him as a freak.

Writer and Director, Todd Phillips, enlists Lady Gaga for the ‘Madness of Two’ as we delve into a musical sequel that to me begs a certain question. Who is the real Joker? 

The film sets the tone with Looney Tunes inspired cartoon of Arthur Fleck and his battle with the shadow that follows him, the persona of the Joker. This will come to be a running theme in the film as Joaquin Phoenix’ character is put to trial for the crimes of the Joker in the first film, his argument being that his split personality is to blame. Rather than being put in Arkham Asylum, he should be in a hospital being treated for his condition.

My first reaction to Gaga being cast? Oh god no. Oh, it’s a musical. That makes a bit more sense. Should I focus my attention on every bit of promotional material that comes out for this film? No.

My focus on Gaga is not to be dismissive but of wanting more from a sensation. I felt she was drowned out in the ensemble cast of House of Gucci which, as a whole, was not great. This brings me back to A Star is Born, where her performance was great but just plain as the character was written. I was expecting some oomph in this film, a bit more jazz in her step, a bit more closer to Harleen Quinzel but her character name being just Lee made sense, in coming short.

I had no qualms on the film in a technical aspect, from production coordination to look and feel of it on screen. The score of the film felt as if it had been elevated from the first and this is what you look for in a sequel. The film only felt like a drag due to the persistence of replies in dialogue coming in the form of a musical number. This is hilarious. You know why, right? This, again, is in spirity of the almost torture that the spirit of the Joker can be set on mere bystanders. Does that make sense? Probably not. 

Now to the question, who is the real Joker? Todd Philips. And I don’t mean that in any bad way. The first film should have only ever been a first film. Why are we so bloodthirsty for a sequel? This would’ve been my first response to being asked by Warner Bros for a sequel of an artistic take on one of greatest villains of all time. I mean, if you’re paying me 20 million to make a film that really is not needed, I’ll go crazy on it.