REVIEW: BEAU IS AFRAID

3.5/5

The Disorder Of The Phoenix.

179 Mins. Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Nathan Lane, Amy Ryan, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Hayley Squires, Denis Ménochet, Kylie Rogers, Zoe Lister-Jones, Parker Posey, Richard Kind & Patti LuPone. Director: Ari Aster. In: Theatres. 

Be afraid. Be very afraid. New hallmark horror director Ari Aster knows how to scare you s###less (see the classics 'Hereditary' and 'Midsommar' if you dare). Redefining the great genre like Jordan Peele ('Get Out', 'Us'). And now, just like Peele's science fiction horror 'Nope', Aster takes a left turn of sorts with Academy Award-winning great Joaquin Phoenix for 'Beau Is Afraid'. Finally released here in Japan after its divisive one in 2023 (a more controversial-over here at least-'Oppenheimer' finally comes out at the end of March too, like a delayed delivery of 'Licorice Pizza'.), 'Beau' may be afraid of Oscar season, but like the underrated black and white truth of Golden Globe nominated Phoenix's 'C'mon, C'mon', bookended between both 'Joker' movies, this surrealist tragicomedy horror is the deepest dive into one man's mental health falling apart at the seams like his life itself...or so it seems. To say, "what the f###" is going on may be the understatement of the year...and we know it's only February. This arrested development will remind you of when Darren Aronofsky's 'Mother!', with an exclamation, played Russian roulette with his career and relationship with star Jennifer Lawrence. Mommy issues with the two-headed dragon of the great Zoe Lister-Jones and Patti LuPone indeed. 'I'm Thinking Of Ending Things' on Netflix had us thinking the same mothering way, especially when it was released during the social isolation of the 2020 pandemic. 'Beau' bests both. An A24 film if you ever saw one. Making Mariah Carey's 'Always Be My Baby' as scary as Netflix's 'Leave The World Behind' made the 'Friends' theme.

Best, especially when this trial of madness, told in three acts, segues into an animated moment that amazes, similar to 'Things' in Charlie Kaufman's picture of Jessie Buckley. But I'm afraid Beau doesn't quite form a big-three for Ari, alongside the dynamic duo of 'Hereditary' and 'Midsommar' that made Toni Collette and Florence Pugh even bigger than they are. Not hitting the haunted heights of the life exploring and existence affirming 'A Ghost Story' by 'Green Knight' David Lowery, and that's OK. And as crazy as this clusterf### of a mess sometimes is. Remember, 'Best Pictures' come in all shapes and hot dog, sausage finger sizes. What a time to be alive and in love! Besides, just like Jordan, do you think Ari Aster is done at a mere three movies? Nope! When his filmography reaches those of the Carpenters and Kubricks, fans and cinephiles will pick this one apart like all great art, under a microscope like the rest of his gallery. Let's just be glad for a time when we don't do this under the guise of derogatory social media negativity. Aster is a pastor for cinema. You can tell from his Japanese introduction to the trailer of this film, where he urges cinemagoers to see this on the big-screen because he "hates streaming". You may get lost in his art, but at least he's not making the previously clichéd horror genre and big-budget cinema a lost art. Or cause, for that effect. Just like best dramatic actor Joaquin Phoenix, who can bring more with a facial gesture than he can with a down turned thumb. Not that he's unwilling to throw his whole body and soul into a picture for the naked truth. Most actors don't have the balls. Holding every card, Joaquin has it all in spades. 

This contains multitudes...and interludes. As much to unpack as your weekly grocery shop. There's more than flowers in Aster's trademark horror attic, in a moment that will shock you like the final one in the pre-'Dune' and 'Blade Runner' Denis Villeneuve movie where Jake Gyllenhaal met his worst 'Enemy'. Phoenix is phenomenal, even in pyjamas Frasier Crane would be proud of. Or even when his character irritates you like this at times deeply disturbing movie does. But isn't that what true cinematic masterpieces are meant to do...move you? And performance artists, provoke you? But it's not just him. Stealing the show somewhat, are a kindly Nathan Lane and what Amy Ryan is off-screen whispering to Joaquin all that they seem? And how about a standout Kylie Rogers and her K-Pop bedroom as the jealousy of family matters that are a theme in these movies take a deeper and darker turn. Siccing 'Inglourious Basterds' introduction veteran Denis Ménochet on Phoneix. And just wait until you find out who a perfect Parker Posey plays. You'll wonder what tender therapist Stephen McKinley Henderson makes of it all. Let alone Richard Kind's anything but kindly (unlike Hayley Squires in the theatrical forest of plays) lawyer, as this show ends up looking like a Jim Carrey one, like Colin Farrell's Penguin in 'The Batman' did Kind himself. Sure, this just shy of three-hours film will leave you exhausted in more ways than one, but it will also stay with you for much longer than the runtime (the more you pick it apart, the more you'll actually like it). Something which seems hereditary in Ari's work. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Hereditary', 'I'm Thinking Of Ending Things', 'Mother!'.