21/16
Struggling with his dual identity, failed comedian Arthur Fleck meets the love of his life, Harley Quinn, while incarcerated at Arkham State Hospital. Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, and director and screenwriter Todd Phillips share what scared them the most about tackling the musical sequel. Plus, Gaga opens up about how she got into and stayed in her dark persona. The film’s subtitle “Folie a Deux” means “Madness of Two” in French. This initially led to speculation that Harley Quinn would appear in the film, which was confirmed shortly thereafter. The name Folie a Deux comes from 19th-century French psychiatrists Charles Lasègue and Jules Falret. The term was coined to refer to two or more people who share the same madness or delusion. It is also known as Lasègue-Falret syndrome. The jury representative mistakenly refers to “The People of New York” instead of Gotham City.. Arthur Fleck: [Written as a spiteful autograph with a sad, smiley face] I HOPE YOU HAVE CANCER. The film opens with a Looney Tunes title sequence, with the Warner Bros. logo surrounded by rings and the Joker’s face.. Appeared in Crazy Cartoon Cast from AniMat: The Wicked Discovery of a Lifetime (2022). Merrily We Roll Along Written by Eddie Cantor, Murray Mencher, and Charles Tobias. Joker 2 attempts to delve into the mind of Arthur Fleck once more, but unfortunately, it overruns too much of the same ground as the first film. The original Joker was such a meticulous and in-depth character study that by the end it felt like there was little more to discover. That same feeling haunts this sequel, which struggles to find new dimensions to Arthur’s complex psyche, leaving the film feeling more like an epilogue than a new narrative. Joaquin Phoenix, as expected, gives an excellent performance as Arthur Fleck, further solidifying his disturbing portrayal of the Joker. Lady Gaga also brings depth to her role as Harley Quinn, adding a new dynamic to Arthur’s story. However, the film continually strays from their strong performances with unnecessary musical numbers and courtroom drama that feels out of place. Ironically, the film is at its best when it alludes to the iconic scenes and atmosphere of the first film, rather than when it tries to experiment with new elements. The callbacks to Arthur’s lonely and disturbed journey in the original film evoke the same unsettling tension and emotional weight that made Joker so powerful. However, the attempts to add new layers with courtroom drama and unexpected musical sequences ultimately detract from the flow of the story, feeling more like distractions than meaningful additions. The film shines the most when it focuses on the twisted and toxic relationship between Joker and Harley. The chemistry between Phoenix and Gaga adds a fascinating layer to the film, but unfortunately, these moments are far too few and far between. Ultimately, Joker 2 feels more like a sequel that didn’t have much more to say. While it has its highlights, particularly in its performances, the film feels like an unnecessary addition to the first rather than a compelling new chapter. For fans of the original, it may feel redundant, offering little new exploration of Arthur’s character or the world he inhabits. Check out our list of exciting new films from this year’s film festivals, including Venice, TIFF, the New York Film Festival, and more.