Despite the disappointing reviews many of you have probably seen, I am here to tell you that “Joker: Folie à Deux” was not as bad as they say. There are minor spoilers in this review, but none that would give away major plot points.
The movie still possesses the darkness and grit of the first film, while taking it even deeper. Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is still suffering and trying to navigate his mental health while being idolized as the Joker. Lee Quinzel (Lady Gaga) also proves to be a fascinating iteration of the iconic character Harley Quinn. When I watched this, I found myself equally invested in not just the artistry of the film but the other Batman characters present. Let’s just say another iconic Batman villain makes an appearance.
The movie was a musical as all of the reviews are saying. However, the musical aspect was a fantastic framing device for both Arthur and Lee’s mental states. The whole point of the Joker — and this is apparent in the first movie as well — is that he is living in a fantasy.
Throughout the first movie, Arthur finds himself in a relationship of his own making with his neighbor. He also has intense dreams of being a famous comedian so he may make his equally delusional mother proud as she tells him he was put in the world to make people smile. Music is also prevalent throughout this film as viewers find Arthur dancing multiple times.
What “Folie à Deux” has done is add to this narrative. We leave Arthur in the first film in Arkham Asylum. He goes from the infamously known Joker with fans rioting on the streets to a prisoner. As he was already trapped in a fantasy, this only did more to inflate his delusions of grandeur as he is isolated with only his own mind to turn to. The musical aspect in this film truly shows how far gone into the fantasy he is.
Lee and Arthur sing songs whenever they are discussing the Joker or commenting on the events of the first movie in general. Plus, near the beginning of “Folie à Deux,” Arthur says all he remembers from the fateful night when he shot Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro) was the music played by the show’s band. Music holds a significant position in his mind and follows him through his crimes.
It would only make sense, then, that he would feel like singing when discussing these events or being around Lee who encourages him to be the Joker. She uses music to show him how great he is as the Joker and how much she loves him.
I will admit, however, that the music was too much at some points. There is a part in roughly the middle of the movie where Lee and Arthur are singing, and it just seems a bit like Lady Gaga fan service. Lee sits at a piano singing enthusiastically in a sparkly silver dress and my first thought was, “That’s just Lady Gaga.”
It also takes away from the ending. All I will say on this is that the ending could have been very impactful and devastating, but viewers were taken out of the moment because of one last musical number. I was disappointed in the ending scenes because of it.
Otherwise, the movie’s use of color was another interesting thing that truly shows how deep into the fantasy Arthur falls. Before he meets Lee and really processes his appearance as the Joker, Arkham Asylum is dull, gray and absolutely sapped of color. After, it is as if a filter has been put on the world and every color that makes up the institution is vibrant.
There is also a scene near the beginning where he is walking down an outdoor corridor with four officers. It is raining so they have their umbrellas out. As Arthur looks at the sky, we get a top view of them walking and we see the umbrellas are each different, bold colors. However, as they are leaving the corridor, we can see from a back view that the umbrellas are actually plain black.
There is so much more I wanted to write about, but it is only fair that I keep the rest to myself lest I ruin the whole movie for everyone. My final remark is this: the movie was good and Lady Gaga did an amazing job bringing Harley Quinn to life. On the surface, some of the choices made for the movie could seem silly, but if you look at the deeper plot and Arthur’s mind, you’ll find it frames his psyche quite well.
4/5 stars
pbortner@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @jokermovie, Instagram
