JOKER: FOLIE A DEUX

A follow up to the massively successful and Oscar winning JOKER, we pick up with Arthur Fleck in Arkham and on trial for murder. There, he befriends and falls in love with Lee Quinzel (Lady Gaga). I'll begin by saying I was against this film from the beginning. Not everything needs a sequel but I'm well aware of today's holiday business model: quantity over quality. I was even more uneasy when I heard it was part musical. From early screenings it a divisive film, with more people tending to lean towards negatively receiving it. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It's not the in-depth, character study of Arthur Fleck. It doesn't pack the same emotional punch. It's a court room drama with some singing (mind you I said singing as there aren't entire dance numbers like some kind of STOMP THE YARD rendition). In fact, it's only parts of songs as none of them are overly long but used for when Arthur can't find the words to express himself. Joaquin Phoenix is great but his second turn as the character doesn't have the same material to work with. He's back in his unhealthy Joker shape but doesn't chew up the scenery as he did before. Lady Gaga is fine but unfortunately forgettable as Harley Quinn. And while I applaud any actor or actress for stepping into such an iconic role (yes, we all associate the character with the marvelous Margot Robbie) and making it their own, she doesn't have much to work with here either. But, even saying all of that, again, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would going in. And maybe that's on me for having such low expectations and the second viewing will be a better test after knowing what to expect. But my advice, go into it with an open mind and just know you knew they were never going to recreate the magic of the original. If you can accept that and appreciate the film for what's onscreen, it's quite enjoyable. One final shoutout to Brendan Gleeson as Jackie Sullivan, the head of the guards in Arkham. 7/10