As a long-time Batman fan who has seen every iteration of the Caped Crusader, from Adam West to Robert Pattinson, I must say that Joker: Folie à Deux left me utterly bewildered and disappointed. The film, which had such potential with its star-studded cast and intriguing premise, fell flat on its face in execution.
This article contains spoilers for Joker: Folie A Deux
Key Takeaways
- Joker: Folie à Deux bombed critically and commercially due to a disjointed plot and lack of familiar Batman elements.
- The film explores Arthur’s identity and connection to the Joker persona, ultimately leading to his demise.
- Confusion in the timeline ties to Batman’s origin and the introduction of new villains, but lacks a strong hero presence.
One of the most unexpected twists in cinema this year has been the response to “Joker: Madness for Two.” Initially, it was one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. The choice of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in the film version seemed inspired. Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Arthur Fleck from the original Joker was so well-received that it won him an Academy Award for Best Actor. “Joker” was always a peculiar film due to its distinctive take on the Batman villain, Joker, and the critical acclaim it received. The intention was to recreate that success in a standalone sequel. Taking risks is always uncertain, but fans were curious about what else could be explored in the continuation. However, this time, Warner Bros. took a risk they lost as “Joker: Madness for Two” has not only been criticized by critics and audiences alike, but it’s also a significant flop at the box office.
Could we possibly understand how this movie turned out like this? The film feels disjointed, with one half showing Arthur Fleck in Arkham, and another half being a courtroom drama. These two parts don’t seem to blend seamlessly together. Lady Gaga, who delivers a fantastic performance, appears to be underused despite being marketed as a significant character in the film. Joker’s love interest, Harley Quinn, portrayed by Margot Robbie, is different from her traditional version, being depicted as a privileged insane fan instead of a corrupted psychologist. The musical fantasy sequences don’t quite fit with the narrative of the film, and it seems like director Todd Phillips struggled to shoot them comfortably. Yet, all these issues pale in comparison to the most debated aspect of the movie – its ending. [Spoiler alert] The controversial part being the way it concludes.
Arthur Fleck is the Inspiration for the Real Joker
The film “Joker: Folie à Deux” primarily explores the theme of identity in light of public image. Throughout the story, Arthur’s lawyer, Maryanne Stewart (played by Catherine Keener), builds her defense around the idea that Arthur suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Despite being innocent of the crimes from the prior film, it is Joker who is responsible for those murders. Gaga’s character, Lee, encounters Arthur in music therapy and attempts to persuade him to adopt the Joker persona. However, Arthur acknowledges that the Joker is not a separate entity but rather an aspect of himself, rejecting the persona. Lee, who had been a fan of the Joker persona as portrayed in media, recoils upon meeting the real Arthur. In the tragic end, Arthur is murdered by another Arkham inmate, effectively eliminating his identity. The assailant then carves a smile onto Arthur’s face, hinting that he will assume the Joker identity and become the true embodiment of the Batman villain in that universe.
The Joker Timeline Has Always Been Confused
To put it simply, in the original “Joker” movie, the character of Arthur and his transformation into the Joker were deeply connected to the Wayne family, particularly Thomas Wayne who symbolized power and privilege. Despite a brief moment where Arthur thought he might be Thomas’s illegitimate son, this notion was disproven, leaving him without any hope for wealth or status. The climax of the film saw Arthur suffering a public breakdown on live television which sparked riots, one of which resulted in the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne. This tragic event is usually what sets Bruce Wayne on his path to becoming Batman. However, the idea that the Joker caused the Waynes’ deaths and the fact that Bruce was still young at the time of the first movie has often left people a bit perplexed.
In “Joker: Folie à Deux,” Harvey Dent is notably older than Bruce and sustains facial injuries from a courtroom explosion, eventually transforming into Two-Face. The film concludes with the emergence of a new Joker, establishing two iconic Batman villains. However, at this point in the story, Bruce is too young to confront these adversaries. Although the villains are effectively introduced, the lack of heroic influence may not spark audience eagerness for more. Unfortunately, given the lukewarm response to this latest adaptation, it seems unlikely that future installments will address this issue.
If there’s one thing to be said about Todd Phillips, it’s that he has a take on the Joker. Although that take was well-received with the first film, which examined the ways in which society casts marginalized individuals aside to the point where the only way they feel that they can regain a sense of power is to transform themselves into violent villains, the second is more interested in how sustainable that persona is and what its consequences are. While that is an intriguing thought in theory, Phillips’s execution leaves much to be desired. Additionally, the focus on social commentary comes at the cost of what Joker: Folie à Deux was always was at is core, an entry into Batman canon. As a result, the plot is lost and the elements that could have moved the story forward and expanded the world are short changed.
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2024-10-12 01:05