The second instalment of Joker is in significant part a musical. Who would have thought that, notwithstanding the starring role for Lady Gaga?
It is hardly mainstream entertainment. Rather, it has the feel of a strong and decidedly dark independent film, which I appreciated for the layers within in.
Like he did so brilliantly in Joker, Joaquin Phoenix is a revelation as Arthur Fleck/Joker.
So, to the storyline:
Arthur is in prison awaiting trial for the murder spree Joker went on, slaying five (or is that six) people in quick time, including one on live TV.
He appears to be a forlorn character, not responding to the guards’ taunts to tell them a joke.
One who rewards him for good behaviour is Jackie Sullivan (Brendan Gleeson), who takes him along to a music therapy session.
That is where he connects with an inmate by the name of Lee Quinzel/aka Harley Quinn (Gaga).
She claims that she is from the same neighbourhood as Fleck and had a terrible home life, being insitutionalised by her mother.
She is driven to Joker and he to her. The pair starts an intense relationship, in which they fantasise about what might be.
Meanwhile, Fleck’s legal representative Maryanne Stewart (Catherine Keener) is trying to convince him to play along with her defence strategy of a split personality.
The court case sees a groundswell of support for Joker.
Lee, who is increasingly influencing Fleck’s decision making, is at odds with Stewart’s tactics.
The former, who has adopted the Harley Quinn make up and dress sense, tells Fleck he can do anything.
Written by Scott Silver and director Todd Phillips (the combination behind Joker), Joker: Folie a Deux delves deep into mental illness and psychosis.
Dreams and hallucinations play a large part and this is often when Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix are seen singing together.
In one scene, Phoenix resorts to tap dancing.
The pair has a potent connection, while Gleeson is memorable as the guard who gives Fleck some latitude.
I also appreciated the cameo of Steve Coogan as tabloid TV interviewer Paddy Meyers, who legal eagle Stewart lines up to question Fleck before the trial.
The music is an undoubted feature of the work, although I dare say some will find it out of place. Not me. I thought the choices were most appropriate.
So, too, the period production values associated with the film.
I expect Joker: Folie a Deux to be a divisive movie among critics and the fee-paying public, many of whom will find it hard going and not to their liking.
Apart from thinking it was probably 20 minutes too long, I am in the positive camp.
I thought what Phoenix, Gaga and the writers and director brought to the table was a compelling dive into the abyss that is the essence of a troubled mind … or two.
Rated MA, it scores an 8 out of 10.
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