The highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Joker, titled Joker: Folie à Deux, has been the talk of the town since its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival. Directed by Todd Phillips and starring the dynamic duo of Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the film has generated a mixed response from critics, despite receiving a standing ovation of over 11 minutes from the ecstatic audience.
The standing ovation at the Sala Grande was a testament to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the film. The crowd erupted in chants of “Ga-ga, Ga-ga, Ga-ga!” and “Gaga, we love you!” as the cast and crew were congratulated for their efforts. Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga graciously acknowledged the audience, thanking them and blowing kisses in return.
However, the initial reviews of Joker: Folie à Deux have not been as unanimously positive as the audience’s reaction. While the Hollywood Reporter praised Lady Gaga’s “compelling live-wire presence,” the review also described the film as “dour” and in “desperate need” of regular interventions from the lead characters’ songs.
The Guardian’s review was even more critical, stating that Joaquin Phoenix’s performance was “single-note as before,” despite acknowledging his “forceful” screen presence. Indie Wire went so far as to call the film “boring, flat, and such a criminal waste of Lady Gaga that we should demand a public hearing.”
Variety’s review, while not as scathing, still described the sequel as an “overly cautious” and “desperate-to-be-darkly-irreverent but actually rather clunky and earthbound musical sequel.”
The mixed reception is particularly surprising given the immense success of the first Joker film. Released in 2019, the original Joker was a critical and commercial triumph, earning 11 Oscar nominations and winning two, including Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix and Best Original Score for Hildur Guðnadóttir. It also became the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever.
With such a strong foundation, the expectations for Joker: Folie à Deux were understandably high. The addition of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, a beloved character in the DC universe, only added to the anticipation. However, it seems that the sequel has struggled to capture the same magic as its predecessor.
One possible explanation for the divisive response could be the film’s shift towards a more musical and psychological thriller-inspired approach. The inclusion of musical numbers and a deeper exploration of the characters’ mental states may have been a bold creative choice, but it appears to have divided critics.
Despite the mixed reviews, it’s important to note that the audience’s enthusiastic response at the Venice Film Festival suggests that the film may still resonate with a significant portion of the moviegoing public. The standing ovation, particularly the chants of “Ga-ga, Ga-ga, Ga-ga!” and “Gaga, we love you!” indicate that Lady Gaga’s involvement has generated a lot of excitement among fans.
As the release of Joker: Folie à Deux approaches on October 4, it will be interesting to see how the film fares with a wider audience. The continued success of the Joker franchise, as well as the potential for Lady Gaga to captivate audiences with her performance, could still make this sequel a must-see for many moviegoers.
In the end, the divisive response to Joker: Folie à Deux is a testament to the power of art to inspire passionate debate and discussion. Whether the film ultimately succeeds or falls short, it has certainly sparked a lively conversation within the film community, and that in itself is a testament to the creative vision of its creators.
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