2024-09-07 07:05:33
Among the most anticipated titles this fall was Joker: Folie à Deux, which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival this Wednesday evening. Due to the continuation of the Oscar-winning drama from 2019, fans of the singer Lady Gaga, who got one of the main roles, flocked to the Italian city. However, the first reactions are rather negative.
At the same time, the first part of Joker from 2019 won the main prize of the Golden Lion in Venice and the year after 11 nominations for the Oscar, two of which he changed. Joaquin Phoenix won for his portrayal of one of the most controversial villains in the DC Comics universe, and composer Hildur Guðnadóttir won for Best Soundtrack. In addition, the film was a success with audiences, grossing over a billion dollars worldwide.
A sequel called Joker: Folie à Deux is also now in the running for the main festival prize. “This time I’m more experienced and more nervous. It’s easier to succeed with something new,” says Todd Phillips, who once again took over the direction. He admits that audiences usually expect more from sequels.
Phillips once again cast Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga for the first time in the series. Both sing in the film, for example the song Get Happy, known by Judy Garland, or the songs That’s Entertainment and For Once in My Life. They were always accompanied by an off-screen pianist. “We use music to really give the characters a way to say what they want to say when dialogue and a scene aren’t enough,” notes Lady Gaga.
However, according to her, the novelty cannot be described as a musical comedy. “It was that one day I had a dream that I was singing and dancing as the Joker. So I called Todd Phillips to see if it would be an interesting idea,” explains Joaquin Phoenix, explaining how the creator thought of adding this level to the film. It also includes dance choreography, for example a waltz in the rain, the AP agency mentions.
Interest in Lady Gaga
It was the well-known American singer Lady Gaga, who came to Venice to present the film in person, that aroused the greatest interest of fans. Some even spent the night near the festival grounds to catch a glimpse of the celebrity.
Starring Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix at the Venice Film Festival. | Photo: Reuters
Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga said Wednesday that they needed to lose significant weight for their roles. They had to follow a strict diet even during the demanding filming. “When he was really hungry, we fed him blueberries,” Lady Gaga said of her co-star Phoenix’s diet. He had already lost more than 20 kilograms because of the first part, now it was apparently a little less. “But now I’m forty-nine and I probably wouldn’t want to do it a third time,” states Joaquin Phoenix.
He did not want to talk more about his diet on Wednesday. The actor regrets in retrospect that at the premiere of the first film, he gave a disproportionately large space to the topic, explains the AP agency.
The 2019 film featured clown-for-hire and failed stand-up comedian Arthur Fleck trying to find his place in Gotham City’s fractured society. As a result of bad decisions, he turns into the ruthless killer Joker, who stirs up a wave of violence.
The novel begins in Arkham Institute for the Criminally Insane, where Fleck is on trial for the murder from the end of the first film. Here he meets another local ward, Harley Quinn played by Lady Gaga, and begins to regard her as his destined love.
The film is one of 21 titles competing for the main Golden Lion prize at the Venice Film Festival. The winner will be announced on Saturday. The new film will arrive in Czech cinemas on October 3. Folie à deux from the subtitle of the sequel is a designation for an induced mental disorder, shared illusions, delusions or delusions, literally madness in two.
While the first part had a budget of around 60 million dollars, the studio invested over 200 million dollars in the sequel, which translates to more than 4.5 billion crowns, Variety.com wrote.
Negative reviews
However, the first reactions of the press are rather negative. The sequel is in a different vein than the original Joker, whose fans could be disappointed by the news, critics agree.
According to Variety.com, the film takes place practically only in the prison and the court. It hurts its dynamics. “Very little happens between these walls, which reduces the film to a cramped psychodrama,” wrote the server, according to which the protagonist was also trivialized. “There are a lot of scenes where Arthur, dressed as the Joker, defends himself in court, sings this or that, sometimes in fantasy scenes that maybe take place in his head. But he is no longer dangerous. He is not trying to kill anyone, nor is he leading a revolution,” he criticizes website.
The British BBC describes the news as “gloomy, tepid and useless work”. According to her, the musical numbers tend to hinder the story, and although the film lasts over two hours, it gives the impression that director Todd Phillips had nothing to talk about.
“For a film that lasts two and a quarter hours, Joker: Folie à Deux seems a bit weak in terms of story and at times lifeless,” admits The Hollywood Reporter server, according to which some viewers may also complain that the creators did not use Lady Gaga’s potential enough. “It will definitely be a commercial success. But it’s hard to imagine that this movie would excite Batman fans,” warns the server.
Le Monde newspaper praises Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as memorable. “Otherwise, there is little imagination in this somewhat lengthy and contrived performance,” he says.
Video: Joker sequel trailer
The movie Joker: Folie à Deux will start screening in Czech cinemas on October 3. | Video: Vertical Entertainment