Why Is Everyone Surprised By Joaquin Phoenix?
You’ve probably heard the news. Joaquin Phoenix nailed the role of Joker in the Todd Philips’s movie of the same name. The movie is due to be released this fall in world-wide cinema theaters’, but it already a screening at Venice Film Festival.
The movie, but most importantly Joaquin’s performance was selected as extraordinary and lauded by the film critics, making it Oscar worthy and legendary. He’s expected to eclipse Heath Ledger’s performance in the same role, and may I just say something about that? Why is everyone surprised about this?
Clearly, I was supportive about him playing the Joker, even minutes after the casting was announced, but right now, months shy from the movie’s premiere… all I can say is TOLD YA!
And although he relishes in playing weird, off beat, tortured, introverted weirdos and psychotic demented individuals I myself enjoy Joaquin at his most quiet. Most normal. Hat’s not to say that I don’t like watching him play wicked and tortured villains but there are few projects of Joaquin that are true gems.
The role in Quills is a fantastic one for sure. I also loved him in Hotel Rwanda, The Immigrant, You Were Never Really Here, Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot, Reservation Road, and of course in Two Lovers. All small budget and relatively small movies that were either ignored by critics (for the most part) or were ignored by the audience (OK except Hotel Rwanda). And these are precisely the movies that I think shaped the basis for the role of Arthur Fleck. You can’t really get to the Joker without touching Arthur. You’ll have to need some dose of normal before you get to the crazy stuff.
But yeah… I think that the notion of general surprise that Joaquin was astounding in the Joker is unfounded. I mean have you seen him on screen? He’s truly an amazing actor that deserves not just an Academy award, but all the accolades in the world.
