As a long-time comic book enthusiast who has seen more than my fair share of movie adaptations, I must say that Todd Phillips and his team truly outdid themselves with Joker: Folie à Deux. The film’s realistic portrayal of characters like Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face was a breath of fresh air in the often over-the-top world of superhero movies.
Editors’s Note: The following article contains spoilers for Joker: Folie à Deux
Key Takeaways
- Todd Phillips made major changes to comic characters in Joker 2, making them more realistic and grounded.
- The film provides a realistic portrayal of Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face, showing a more relatable villain.
- There’s potential for a more realistic Two-Face in the DCU, which could be continued in future Batman movies.
Since the release of “Joker: Folie à Deux” in theaters, there’s been a diverse response from viewers. The characters have been interpreted differently by some, suggesting that the creative team and studio executives may have envisioned an extended cinematic universe. However, the reception of this sequel, or Joker 2, in terms of both critical acclaim and box office performance might have effectively put an end to any plans for an expanded universe.
Director Todd Phillips has openly admitted that working on “Joker: Folie à Deux” was a challenging endeavor, so much so that he feels satisfied with wrapping up the franchise and exploring fresh narratives next. The absence of test screenings could imply his readiness to bid farewell. Nevertheless, if the storyline had persisted and spawned a new series, it’s evident which character would have been intriguing for its faithful adherence to the comic book roots – the Joker himself.
Comics Accurate In The Real World
In this version of the film, director Todd Phillips significantly transformed Arthur Fleck’s Joker and Lee Quinzel’s Harley Quinn. A notable alteration is that Harley wielded significant influence in the storyline. She managed to win over Arthur and may have even deceived him into believing she was pregnant. In this portrayal, Harley positioned herself as Arthur’s sole confidante, a shift that added depth to both characters, making them seem more grounded compared to the traditional depiction of the psychologist who becomes insane due to her encounters with the Joker. This reinterpretation aligns with Phillips’ intention to present his characters in a more relatable and realistic light.
| Joker: Folie à Deux | |
|---|---|
| Starring | Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Catherine Keener, Brendan Gleeson, Harry Lawtey, Steve Coogan, Leigh Gill and Zazie Beetz |
| Written By | Todd Phillips and Scott Silver |
| Directed By | Todd Phillips |
Many enthusiasts of the upcoming movie Joker 2 surmised that the adoption of a more realistic lens might imply that although the character Harvey Dent was present, the transformation of this character into the notorious villain Two-Face might not be convincingly portrayed. Frankly, it’s difficult to accept that someone suffering severe facial injuries like having half their face burned or destroyed would suddenly transform from a good person into a formidable nemesis for Batman.
In another perspective, the movie “Joker: Folie à Deux” effectively demonstrates how a character like Harvey Dent might transform in such a manner. Initially, it challenges the audience’s preconceived notion of Harvey Dent as an upright man, suggesting that he may not be as morally sound as his prosecutor persona portrays. In this instance, the “realistic perspective” serves to depict a complex Harvey Dent who excels in his profession but is motivated by more than just a desire for justice. The character played by Harry Lawtey, prior to the fateful accident, is fulfilling his professional duties, yet he is also arrogant and not particularly kind.
Spoilers ahead
In the courtroom finale, Harvey’s portrayal aligns more closely with the comics than any other character in the film. The dialogue initially revolves around debating whether The Joker is one individual or two separate entities – a good man named Arthur Fleck and an evil persona. Despite being depicted as a villain, The Joker represents a malevolent personality within the same mind as the defendant Arthur Fleck, who is actually a good person in reality. This theme of duality isn’t new to movies, but it is particularly impactful here due to Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of Harvey Dent serving as a counterpoint in the argument.
At the climax of the trial, Arthur steps up to represent himself and acknowledges that he bears responsibility for his actions, stating they’ve indirectly led others in Gotham to perform harmful acts as well. In the midst of his speech, an explosion occurs outside the courthouse, causing injury or death to numerous people inside. Among the wounded is Dent, who appears to have suffered severe burns to half of his face.
In “Joker: Folie à Deux,” we don’t witness the complete metamorphosis that turns Harvey into Two-Face, but the story closely follows one of the comic book narratives where during a trial involving Sal Maroni, he gets splashed with acid in the face, which sets the stage for his eventual transformation. The movie concludes by showing him scarred and lying on the ground, indicating that his transformation is imminent, even though it’s not fully shown.
Could DCU Pick Up New Harvey Dent?
Despite Phillips’s departure from the DC Comics universe and no confirmed involvement by James Gunn in Joker: Folie à Deux, it appears that a grittier, more realistic Two-Face could potentially align with an upcoming film’s narrative. The approach taken by The Batman 2 in depicting villains like The Penguin and Riddler, grounded in realism, seems to suggest this possibility.
One intriguing approach could involve further exploring the storyline of the Joker 2 character, focusing on aspects less familiar to fans. A quick glimpse back into Harvey Dent’s past might be incorporated, followed by a seamless transition into Batman 2. Although this scenario may not seem probable, it would provide a way for the DCU to preserve elements from its Arthur Fleck series without completely letting go of them.
Read More
- LUNC PREDICTION. LUNC cryptocurrency
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- USD ZAR PREDICTION
- USD PHP PREDICTION
- BICO PREDICTION. BICO cryptocurrency
- SOL PREDICTION. SOL cryptocurrency
- USD COP PREDICTION
- USD CLP PREDICTION
- VANRY PREDICTION. VANRY cryptocurrency
- CET PREDICTION. CET cryptocurrency
2024-10-16 21:05