“Joker: Folie à Deux” is a movie I respected, but I don’t think I would watch it again. There are no redeeming characters, and I didn’t care for leads Joaquin Phoenix (“Her,” “Walk the Line”) as Arthur Fleck or Lady Gaga (“A Star Is Born”) as Lee Quinzel.
Some moviegoers will miss Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn from the 2019 original. But the “Joker” sequel is, believe it or not, a musical. It appears that director and co-writer Todd Phillips, who also called the shots on the original “Joker,” went for the singing talents of Lady Gaga in the character that is sort of Harley Quinn.
Phillips tried to pull a rabbit out of a hat but could only come up with a near-dead rabbit on life support. No one should be surprised that this is a dark and violent musical. I did admire some of the catchy songs. They had a beat and a rhythm that made it a little more tolerable and digestible to endure these despicable characters.
The actors all did well as their characters, especially Catherine Keener (“Get Out”) as Maryanne Stewart, Fleck’s attorney. One bright spot is the relationship between Fleck and Gary Puddles (Leigh Gill of TV’s “Game of Thrones”). Fleck thinks of Puddles as a friend, but Puddles is holding a grudge because Fleck killed his friend in “Joker.”
In sort of a continuation of “Joker,” Fleck is incarcerated, and, in a minor plot twist, he is sent to a jailhouse music appreciation class. That’s where he bumps into Lady Gaga’s Lee Quinzel. They connect right away and have good volatile screen chemistry that really clicks.
Much of the second half of this musical psychological drama takes place in a courtroom, where Fleck is on trial for several counts of murder.
Honestly, it was a strain to sit in my theater seat and watch this movie because it is so mean spirited. I hate to say it, but I didn’t want to be there. As a film critic, however, it was my duty to be there to inform my readers of my opinion. Let’s just say this is not the kind of DC Universe movie I enjoy. I just had to sit in my seat and take it.
I don’t want to be selfish, but I want to be entertained and enjoy myself when I’m at the movies. I like to laugh and smile, and the “Joker” sequel is all doom and gloom.
Grade: D+
