After the enormous and unexpected success of Joker, it was inevitable that a sequel would be in the works given the film's commercial and critical achievements. Indeed, the film received no fewer than 9 Oscar nominations, winning 2, and was, until recently, the highest-grossing R-rated movie in cinematic history before being surpassed by Deadpool & Wolverine. Joker: Folie à Deux is therefore a very risky gamble: not only is a sequel unnecessary, but it also has to live up to its predecessor.
Led by Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) and Lady Gaga (Harley Quinn), Joker: Folie à Deux takes place two years after the events of the first film. Now confined at Arkham, Arthur Fleck falls in love with Harleen Quinzel after meeting her during a singing class. As the two experience musical madness through their shared insanity, Arthur's followers start a movement to free him.
Much calmer and more subdued, Folie à Deux shows the cruel and repetitive daily life that Arthur endures at Arkham, a far cry from the frantic pace of the first film. Arthur seems to be at a low point in his life—he no longer smiles and no longer tells jokes, unlike before when he used to entertain the asylum guards. That is, until he meets his true love: Harleen Quinzel. She brings back his smile and helps him rediscover his sense of humor. They share a common passion that brings them closer: music. Already a key element in the first film, in Folie à Deux, music serves as a form of therapy to help him overcome and cope the traumas that have fractured him.
No matter how much the studio tries to disguise it, the film is a musical. After all, Lady Gaga wasn’t chosen by accident. Blending pop and jazz, the film features numerous iconic songs from the 20th century. Aside from one truly remarkable sequence in terms of choreography, staging, set design, and singing, the movie is very disappointing as a musical. First, Lady Gaga tries to sing like a beginner to match Joaquin Phoenix’s level. But why cast her if not to fully showcase her talent? When you see what the actress is capable of in A Star is Born, it’s truly unfortunate that she wasn’t highlighted more. Since most of the dance and song scenes take place in Arthur's mind, they have no real impact on the film because we already know they are fictional. They are often poorly introduced, at the wrong time, with transitions that leave much to be desired. Aside from the biggest musical number in the film, I was also disappointed by the set design. For a film with a budget close to $200 million—almost four times that of the first movie—I expected something far more impressive and grand. The film doesn’t look cheap, but I honestly wonder where the budget went, if not into the actors’ pockets.
If there’s one thing I can't criticize, it's Joaquin Phoenix's dedication to this role which once again shines on screen. Lady Gaga, for her part, is radiant with a simple yet impactful performance. The cinematography of the film is absolutely incredible. Lawrence Sher perfectly captures Gotham's grimy essence. I highly recommend watching the film in IMAX format. Hildur Guðnadóttir's score isn’t as memorable as in the first film, but it’s still effective enough to evoke the darkness & bleakness of the movie.
As for the story, it's probably the film's biggest weakness significantly bringing it down despite the high quality of the rest. While it runs for almost two and a half hours, the plot is hanging by a thread. It doesn't have anything new to say. It even drags at times, especially with such questionable editing where the musical sequences often feel poorly placed in inappropriate moments. On the other hand, the courtroom scenes are excellent with tension and a remarkable level of directorial control, making them one of the film’s strongest points. The relationship between Joker and Harley feels unconvincing, largely due to Harley's character being treated too briefly and lacking depth. Nevertheless, her character serves to critique the toxic and irrational worshipping of "famous" people. Though subtle, the film also criticizes the constant sensationalism sought by the media.
In the end, Joker: Folie à Deux is just as incredible as its predecessor from a technical standpoint with its cinematography, actors, sets, and music… but where the first film succeeded in evoking emotion and drawing the viewer into the frenzy of its main character, Foliee à Deux disappoints with its overly thin writing and timid musical sequences, as if the film didn't accept it was a musical.
Rating: 3/5
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