February 10, 2025

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

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As Foolish as He Can Be- Joker: Folie A Deux (Film Review)

Warner Bros

The highly anticipated : Folie à Deux stirred mixed reactions upon its announcement. Whilst fans were immediately captivated by the idea of Lady Gaga portraying Harley Quinn, many comic book purists grew concerned about the film's direction—especially when rumours surfaced that it would be a musical. But for musical theatre fans and Gaga's little monsters, this only added to the excitement. But due to a multitude of ill-fitting sequences and underdeveloped storylines, the film has left many in a state of collective confusion and disappointment.

The sequel follows Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) as he remains in custody at Arkham State Hospital for the crimes he committed in Joker. His isolation is soon interrupted by the arrival of Harleen Quinzel (Lady Gaga) or ‘Lee'- a fellow inmate with a growing admiration for Arthur. The film frustratingly opts to tell rather than show the evolution of their relationship. Despite a few scattered intimate moments, we're expected to believe in the profound connection they share without being given enough depth or emotional buildup to truly feel it. Their bond feels rushed and underdeveloped, leaving the audience wanting more than the surface-level glimpses we're given, as if witnessing pieces of a much grander narrative that never fully materializes. The film delves deeper into Arthur's psychological turmoil, blurring the lines between reality and delusion as he grapples with his newfound infamy. All the while, the threat of Gotham's civil unrest continues to escalate, setting the stage for a musical that could have been boldly chaotic if treated with the energy and passion that the concept demands.

Director Todd Phillips feels ill-equipped to handle such an ambitious concept with a megastar like Lady Gaga at its core, and the result feels inconsistent and unfocussed. Phillips neglects Gaga's formidable musical talent, often reducing her to a background character, specifically in the films slow courtroom scenes. As a result, the relationship between Arthur and Lee, while theoretically deep, is rendered flat and uninspired, detracting from the very chaos and complexity that the story seeks to explore.

But many of these musical sequences have moments of beauty, particularly where Arthur imagines himself and Lee on their show that mirrors Joker‘s Live! With Murray Franklin. Phoenix and Gaga volley with each other in both their acting and singing ability, creating a conceptual, dream-like sequence that shows the films potential. There's also a ‘Hotel Arkham' sequence that shines amongst the others, with beautiful set design and cinematography accompanied by magical choreography that's well executed by both Gaga and Phoenix. These musical numbers show us a glimmer of what could have been, filling the screen with emotional and creative depth, and showcasing the characters' tumultuous relationship and the talents of its two stars. Unfortunately, while these sequences hint at greatness they're overshadowed by the film's inconsistency, with an abysmal final act that that fails to resonate with both fans of Joker and musical enthusiasts alike.

There's much to appreciate in Joker: Folie à Deux, with bright glimmers of potential, and Gaga proving why she's the megastar she is. Phoenix delivers a strong performance with what he's given, and together, they create some impactful moments, both musically and emotionally. The cinematography and bold colour grading continue to impress visually, synergising with the first film. However, Folie à Deux ultimately fails to realise its ambitious vision, as the musical element becomes grating and irrelevant. Despite its merits, the overall execution fails to capture the depth and complexity of its storied characters and concludes the story of Arthur Fleck in an anti-climactic mess.

Joker: Folie à Deux is in UK cinemas now.