REVIEW: JOKER - FOLIE À DEUX

3.5/5

The Killing Joke

138 Mins. Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Zazie Beetz, Steve Coogan, Harry Lawtey & Leigh Gill. Screenwriters: Scott Silver & Todd Phillips. Director: Todd Phillips. In: Theatres.

Madness. Madness? This is 'Joker'. 'Folie à Deux'. A sequel for two. But this time, who's the joke on? And who will get the last laugh in Todd Phillip's madcap musical? If you were never a fan of those episodes of 'The Simpsons' and 'Family Guy' that used to break into song (more annoying than a clips show), then you should probably drop this mic, like those who are afraid of karaoke. Otherwise, 'Joker: Folie à Deux' is actually a singing statement piece of a movie musical that is more than just a love ode to cigarettes and those ol' blue eyes of the great American songbook, as it tries to say something to those glorifying violence and not thinking about mental health. Whether this self-aware and serving franchise, or its fans, are guilty of all that. Although more maligned than Marvel's 'Madame Web' (which back in the early 2000s would have been the movie of the year), don't expect to catch it on Broadway soon. Branded as a 'F' you to fans, it's all coming out now. The review embargo. Todd Phillips, keeping DC and James Gunn (he's not the first one) at a distance. His Thanos like seclusion to the country on the weekend of this film's release. And the fact that apparently this all came to Joaquin Phoenix in a dream.

Sounds like a nightmare. Oh darling, it's much more than that. A victim of its own violence. Rising from the ashes of this explosive epic, Phoenix's Arthur Fleck says he wants to burn it all down in a movie that is part-song and dance, part courtroom drama. Lowering the gavel like the boom of a Harley Quinn hammer. The 'Joker' of the pack in 2019 earned Joaquin his first Academy Award after being nominated for an Oscar for playing Johnny Cash (Boyd Holbrook of 'Logan' fame will take over as the Man in Black in James Mangold's 'A Complete Unknown' Dylan biopic, starring some boy called Timothée). This was the Clown Prince of Crime's second gold statue after the late, great Heath Ledger became the definition of The Joker in 'The Dark Knight'. Word in Gotham is that Christopher Nolan nixed any chance of Phoenix's Fleck putting a smile on his face in the same way as Heath when he still held an executive producer's seat at Warner Bros. Now, fans are crying that Jared Leto is no longer the worst Joker, whilst Phillips is claiming Arthur was never the Clown Prince anyway. Firstly, those deriding Leto need to see his redemption cameo in Zack Snyder's 'Justice League'. He's earned his card.

Secondly, like the classic Cameron Monaghan in 'Gotham', Joaquin Phoenix's 'Joker' was always meant to be an inspiration incarnation. Never the real deal like the legendary Jack Nicholson, Cesar Romero and voice of Mark Hamill. And the same could be said for Stefani Germanotta AKA Lady Gaga's Lee Quinzel, or as we all know her well, Harley Quinn. Her amazing album accompaniment 'Harlequin' offering further rhyme to that reason. Taking over from the emancipation of 'Barbie's' Margot Robbie in the same redefining way Phoenix did when everyone said nobody could touch the legendary Ledger. They still can't. Nevertheless, at least this movie/music mash-up clears a path for the great Barry Keoghan to do his thing in Matt Reeves' sequel after his cameo in 'The Batman'. Yeah, DC is a mess, but at least this crazy in love film tries its best to Bonnie and Cylde ride it 'till the wheels' fall off. Mostly staying on track, despite a derailing third act after Phoenix does his best 'Darrow' impression. Those worrying about the script's song sheet needn't worry. Besides, Gaga's Academy Award-winning 'A Star Is Born' remake (not to mention her 'Maverick' 'Top Gun' sequel song) and Joaquin Phoenix's time walking the line, is fine for all this. Instead, take a look at the amazing animation, that's straight Looney Tunes, that comes before this movie like 'Tom & Jerry'. That's what we need to be talking about.

Phoenix and Gaga stepping up to that iconic staircase, as they dance, are something like a phenomenon like LL Cool J, or John Travolta. Do-do-da-do-do. And a capable cast more than bolster this from the bench. Like the terrific testimony of a returning Zazie Beetz ('Atlanta', 'Deadpool 2') and courtroom scene-stealer Leigh Gill of 'Game Of Thrones' fame (but why did they have to do him dirty with the Yellow Pages?). 'The Banshees Of Inisherin' and 'In Bruges' legend Brendan Gleeson really brings it as an Arkham guard. And Catherine Keener's legal support ('Being John Malkovich', 'Get Out') is as dedicated as they come to this sad clown in a sunken place of drawn out sockets and emaciated skin. Great British comedic actor Steve Coogan also does a seriously good job as a sensationalist TV journalist who could even pierce Piers Morgan. Whilst 'Industry' actor Harry Lawtey is a fresh-faced, will he, won't he, Harvey Dent, trying to bring justice to this circus. Which is exactly what Phillips is trying to do, alongside co-writer Scott Silver ('8 Mile', the new 'Spawn'). Despite no respite from the critical and box office hangover. But it's never as bad as they say in this world of extremes. Just like the perfect 'Penguin', Soprano like series doing the business right now, is no "masterpiece"...yet!

Why do birds suddenly disappear? This jukebox musical and psychological thriller is no horror. It does have its moments. Like when bona fide, 'House Of Gucci' movie star Lady Gaga puts a smile on the reflected face of prison glass, and Joaquin Phoenix (the master of Arthur's uncontrollable laughter through all the tears or rage and pain) moves into it and spreads its blood-red grin with his expression. Or when the (im)perfect pair take each other's hand for a dance that transcends 'La La Land'. Still, fans are furious at this film that takes shots at all those middle-aged men who post those "I'm trustworthy until you cross me" memes with Joaquin's Joker or Cillian Murphy's Tommy Shelby from 'Peaky Blinders' in the background like Tom Hardy's twinning Krays. You know that legend will get it in the neck too, if his 'Last Dance' with 'Venom' doesn't bite their Spidey senses. The outstanding original of a first film, that took cues from Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver' and 'King Of Comedy', was a classic, 'A Clockwork Orange' like cautionary tale. But much like that iconic film, many didn't get it (Heath did), and that's why Phillips and Phoenix decided to take their character back. For better or worse. And now they're being cast out like lepers, as we were all warned about. Maybe this is why they actually did a sequel, as they give the people what they want. Maybe, we should be careful of what we wish for. There's a punchline in here somewhere. If only we got it. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Joker', 'La La Land', 'A Star Is Born'.