Phoenix and Gaga both give solid performances and play off each other well. However, it is far from the manic infatuation the two characters share that is so prevalent in other versions. To put it mildly, this second Joker movie by director Todd Phillips, again starring Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker, is disturbing.
Though you could say that’s just par for the course for when you have a psychopath in the leading role. Joining Phoenix is Lady Gaga as Harley Quinzel or Lee, as Arthur endearingly refers to her. Lee is a patient in the psychiatric wing of the prison Arthur is languishing in as he awaits trial for the events of the first movie, namely numerous murders, one even on live television.
Some people are calling for his death, while others are hailing his actions for sticking it to the man. Much of the movie revolves around the relationship between Arthur and Lee, as neither of them is exactly right in the head, and because of that, they can relate to each other’s experiences and state of mind. The movie’s secondary title, Folie à Deux, actually means madness for two, and you can see the shared psychosis throughout all their interactions.
Phoenix and Gaga both give solid performances and play off each other well. However, it is far from the manic infatuation the two characters share that is so prevalent in other versions. Phoenix can act with his entire body like few others, and while Gaga’s acting is nothing to sneeze at, her voice and stage presence rem.