Joker: Folie à Deux – Budget of $200 million – 2 hours and 18 minutes
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The guards at Arkham Asylum give Arthur Fleck a clean shave and suit before he meets his lawyer, Maryanne Stewart. Maryanne prepares Arthur for a conference with his court-appointed psychologist. The psychologists believes Arthur has a split personality that he calls Joker after suffering years of abuse. If they can get the court to accept it, Arthur will spend his life in a mental facility instead of a prison for murdering five people. The guards lead Arthur to B-ward, and he hears singing. Arthur peeks inside and glances at a beautiful woman with an angelic voice. The guards move Arthur down the hall, and he looks back. The woman is standing in the hall with a finger gun to her head. She pulls the trigger, and Arthur smiles. Arthur finishes his psychiatric evaluation, but Maryanne knows this strategy is a long shot. Arthur goes back to his cell. During yard time, a guard, Jackie, got Arthur some time in the B-ward’s music class. Arthur can’t contain his excitement.
Arthur sits next to the woman. They steal glances at each other. He sees her outside of class and introduces himself. Of course, she knows who Arthur is because she watched a TV movie about him 20 times. She tells him her name is Lee. He inspired her. She grew up in the same building as him and had an abusive father. Her mother committed Lee after Lee set their apartment on fire. She watched Arthur on The Murray Franklin Show and wanted Arthur to shoot him. Then, he did. That’s when Lee felt seen for the first time. Arthur whispers that he killed his mother, Penny, too, but no one knows that. The guards pull Arthur away, but he is smitten with Lee.
Arthur watches District Attorney Harvey Dent give a press conference about Arthur’s trial. It will be the first televised murder trial in Gotham’s history. Judge Herman Rothwax deemed Arthur fit to stand trial. And Harvey wants Arthur to get the death penalty. Harvey thinks the Joker persona is an excuse for Arthur’s evil behavior and will prove it in court. Arthur laughs while his eyes well with tears.
B-ward’s music class watches a musical. Arthur is engaged, but Lee wants to leave. Arthur reminds Lee that the guards will shoot him if he exits. Lee gets up, walks to the piano, sets it ablaze, and sits in her seat. When people spot the fire, they run. Lee grabs Arthur, and they flee in the other direction. Lee and Arthur run towards Arkham’s front gate, where reporters swarm for a comment. The guards grab Arthur and throw him into the hole until his trial.
One day, Lee awakens Arthur. She bribed a guard to let her into the hole to say goodbye to Arthur. Her family thought he was a bad influence on her and signed her release early. However, she plans to be at Arthur’s trial daily. She paints Arthur’s face, and they make love in the hole.
Arthur enters the courtroom but looks back at the door during the opening statement. He beams with glee when Lee enters and sits in the back. Arthur asks Maryanne to get Lee a better seat in the future. After the first day of deliberations, Lee confronts Maryanne in the vestibule. Lee thinks Maryanne is mocking the Joker and losing the trial. Maryanne thinks Lee is delusional and a fame-seeker. Lee says the world is on Joker’s side and will free him.
Lee goes to the holding cell and tells Joker that Maryanne will lose the trial. She kisses Joker and encourages him to ‘build a mountain’ with her. Maryanne meets with Arthur about the trial. He professes his love for Lee, and Maryanne laughs. She reveals that Lee is a liar. Her name is Harley Quinzel, and her parents are rich. She grew up on the wealthy side of town, and her father is alive and a doctor. Arthur confronts Lee about her lies, and she confesses. She lied because she wanted Joker to like her. She wants him to let Joker free. Arthur takes her advice and fires Maryanne. Joker will represent himself and make the world smile. Will he be found guilty and sent to death?
This musical sequel is an ambitious change from the first film. Arthur and Lee perform songs together and apart to express their feelings. However, the movie stays grounded when the real world bleeds into the music and dance. If you watch the first film, you will wonder if Arthur is hallucinating this relationship as he did with Sophie. The elements feel the same. But rest assured, the plot is different. The costume designers ensured the world around Arthur was gloomy and gray. But Joker’s world had spots of color. The storyline does an excellent job of recapping the first film. So you don’t need to watch it to enjoy part two. The writers introduce known characters to the fans while staying true to Joker. The plot slows down for the songs, and sometimes, the music drowns out the actors. However, the film is worthwhile. The audience will watch Arthur Fleck’s trial and Joker’s birth. Also, there are zero mid- or post-credit scenes.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I am free – Arthur
He didn’t deserve to die – Mr. Puddles
She told me there was something wrong with Arthur – Sophie
I told you I wanted to get out of there – Lee
You’re not Joker. You’re Arthur – Maryanne
Arthur Fleck is a monster who knew exactly what he was doing – Harvey Dent
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Categories: Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, In The Theater, Joaquin Phoenix, Joker: Folie à Deux, Lady Gaga, movie, review, Zazie Beetz
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