JASON EVANS' 100-WORD REVIEWS: Joker Folie à Deux

 A depressing letdown

Film critic Jason Evans is on a mission to spread the word about movies in less time than it takes to go into an imaginary world. His reviews are exactly 100 words long (99 is too brief and 101 is a mouthful). Here is his 100-word review of Joker: Folie à Deux.

The Premise: Taking place shortly after the events of the first Joker film, we find Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) leading a depressing and drug-laden life inside the wing of Arkham Asylum dedicated to violent criminals. Arthur is Arkham’s most famous resident because the public has become obsessed with the crimes he committed. When he is allowed to attend a singing therapy session, he meets Lee (Lady Gaga), who is struggling with sanity herself and is obsessed with Arthur’s Joker alter ego. Though Arthur seems unsure he wants to be Joker any more, Lee and others urge him to assume that psychopathic persona as Arthur prepares for his trial for murder. Portions of the film are told through musical fantasy sequences involving Arthur and Lee dreaming of a life outside of the walls of the asylum. This flick also stars Brendan Gleeson as a prison guard and is directed by Todd Phillips, who grew to fame from his work on Old School and The Hangover films.

The 100-words: This slow and depressing tale is a difficult watch. The film is never sure what it wants Arthur to be. The audience wants him to become the exciting and unpredictable Joker, but Arthur is weak and just not that interesting. Eventually, we grow tired of watching him shuffle from scene to scene. The musical fantasy sequences aren’t even very lively or inventive. I wasn’t much of a fan of the original Joker film and it feels like Philipps and Phoenix had little more to say about the character. At least Gaga seemed like she was having fun. I sure didn’t.  

Reach out to Jason Evans on Twitter @JasonDukeEvans