Folie à Deux is French for “madness of two”. Two people going through an episode of shared psychosis, losing their minds and feeding into each other's delusions. Safe to say, one has to be truly delusional to reimagine a sequel to Joker as a musical.
The choice is brave. Generates curiosity in the viewer. But doesn't quite work as the genrés collide in cacophonic tune rather than a harmonious one. Not even Gaga’s eccentricity or Phoenix’s unhinged psychopathic Joker-act can salvage this musical slogfest.
Joker Folie à Deux: Plot
After the events of Joker (2019), Arthur Fleck (failed comedian, and murderer, played by Joaquin Phoenix) is now in Arkham Asylum. Everyone in the hospital knows about Arthur shooting talk show host Murray Franklin on live TV. He is now notorious in the hospital—everyone who looks at him sees a murderer except another inmate.
In comes Lee Quinzel (played by a blonde Lady Gaga), who falls in love with him. The romance between the two begins as Arthur is put on trial for the murder of Murray Franklin.
Joker Folie à Deux: Performances
Whether or not Arthur will be declared guilty depends almost entirely on the line of defence his lawyer, Catherine Keener will take. To walk scott-free, Arthur must be declared insane—his lawyer tries her best to prove that Joker has a split personality—first is Arthur, sad, lonely miserable man and the other is the crazy murderer Joker.
Arthur's identity crisis takes the center stage in this musical. When Quizel and Fleck are put in music therapy classes, the two of them go on a psychotic trip where the lines between reality and delusion is blurred.
Joker Folie à Deux: Writing And Direction
What works well for Joker: Folie à Deux is that it plays with the idea of Arthur and Joker being two split personalities, even if this premise is not explored to its full potential. Somewhere, the film also questions the idea of sanity.
Since the Arkham Asylum is where a considerable part of the film unfolds, we see the struggles of those committed to mental institutions. A stern guard Jackie (Brendon Gleeson) gives Arthur a tough time.
Joker Folie à Deux: What Works, What Doesn't
The film doesn't work for multiple reasons. For starters, it is a long-drawn slogfest which doesn't keep you engaged. This critic couldn't help but zone out when some of the musical acts unfolded. What also didn't help was the song choices—Arthur and Quinzel only croon ‘40s Hollywood Hits (most of us werent even born then!).
Don't get me wrong: I swear I wasn't expecting them to sing Sabrina Carpenter's ‘Espresso’ but shouldn't the songs have recall value? This isnt a comment on the songs as much as it is on the choice.
While a considerable part of Joker (2019) played out in subways, streets of Gotham City, Folie à Deux unfolds primarily in the courtroom. The fans (and this critic) felt robbed after sitting through a 2 hour, 33 minute courtroom drama-cum-musical.
“Uff not again”, I thought to myself each time a song came in. The sequences drag on, and offer little to keep you hooked. Apparently, die-hard DC fans are divided over the ending of the film. As for me, I couldn't care less. I was just happy to have made it till the end.
Star rating: 2 / 5 stars
Joker Folie à Deux is playing now in theaters.
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