If you follow film news at all, you probably know that by now Joker: Folie à Deux hugely disappointing. The blockbuster disappoints on almost every front and cannot match the original. Paul Schrader clearly doesn’t like it either and doesn’t hide his opinion.
Schrader, known, among other things, for writing the Martin Scorsese masterpieces Taxi Driver in Raging Bullhas Folie à Deux given a chance, but he didn’t get far. The writer was not even able to finish watching the film.
Response
This is how he begins: “I tried watching ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’. After 10 to 15 minutes I got up, bought some nibbles and tried again for 10 minutes. Then I had enough“.
“It’s a really bad musical. Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga: I’m not impressed with either of them. I don’t think they are good actors. I didn’t like them as their characters. I just didn’t like it myself. They are the type of people that when they come to your house you quickly escape through the back door“.
Superheldenwereld
What doesn’t help is that Schrader is not a real fan of the superhero genre. When asked if he would ever make one, his response was as follows: “No. I was once ‘close’, but I quickly discovered that it wasn’t for me“.
“It was a ‘The Exorcist’ prequel with Stellan Skarsgard, but it became such a big budget commercial film. I didn’t like that. I had problems with the producers, the story, everything. It wasn’t for me.”
Joker: Folie à Deux – A Musical Misstep?
If you’ve been following the cinematic universe where the caped crusaders swoop in to save the day, then brace yourself for a bit of disappointment. The highly anticipated
Joker: Folie à Deux seems to have flopped harder than a poorly made soufflé. Critics, including the illustrious Paul Schrader, have poured salt in the wound, suggesting that this sequel fails to follow in the gloriously disturbed footsteps of its predecessor.
Paul Schrader’s Unconventional Take
For those unfamiliar, Paul Schrader isn’t just another voice in the cinema jungle. Oh no, he’s the brains behind masterpieces like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull. So when he speaks, you’d do well to listen—or at least grab a cup of tea and a comfy chair. And what does he have to say about this musical trainwreck? Well, folks, it’s not pretty.
“I tried watching ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’. After 10 to 15 minutes I got up, bought some nibbles, and tried again for 10 minutes. Then I had enough.”
Now, let’s unpack this a bit. Schrader’s first attempt at the film was cut short, interrupted not by an overzealous producer but by the relentless need for some snacks. Biting into popcorn while watching a clown tragedy—it’s a mood! But those nibbles couldn’t save him from the harsh reality: “It’s a really bad musical,” he declared, throwing shade harder than an eclipse.
Not Feeling the Stars
“Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga: I’m not impressed with either of them. I don’t think they are good actors.”
Ouch! The critique gets sharper! It seems Schrader isn’t just tossing pompoms for the established stars. He claims that when Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga arrive uninvited to your soirée, you’re better off scaling the back fence in your tux. One can only imagine the look on the Academy’s face as they read that review!
The Superhero Phenomenon
But let’s not gloss over the broader picture here. Count me in as one of the people who believe superheroes should remain in a special place—one where they don’t break out into song every five minutes. Schrader admitted that he’s not a fan of the superhero genre, stating:
“No. I was once ‘close’, but I quickly discovered that it wasn’t for me.”
This isn’t Schrader’s first brush with the superhero world. He was nudged near a prequel to The Exorcist—which sounds more like a horror story I wouldn’t mind watching—and discovered it was headed for a commercial overdose. Who knew that big budgets could ruin your cinematic vision as quickly as a misplaced banana peel? It’s an all-too-frequent script in Hollywood.
The Lesson: Don’t Force the Narrative
So, what’s the takeaway from all this? First off, not every film needs a sequel, especially if the sequel puts on tap shoes and decides to tap dance its way off a cliff. And let’s leave musical numbers to those who know how to handle them, shall we? It’s clear that Schrader is calling for more depth and originality, rather than just a flashy return to the big screen.
In conclusion, if you were hoping Joker: Folie à Deux would ascend to the brilliance of the original, it might be time to adjust your expectations—or maybe send in the review from Schrader with a side order of popcorn for a more enjoyable experience! Remember, folks, when in doubt, sometimes the best thing an actor can do is leave the stage quietly. Or sneak out through the back door.
