Five years ago, Todd Phillips released his much-acclaimed take on the DC Comics supervillain, Joker, with Joaquin Phoenix wearing the clown makeup as the bananas Pagliacci Arthur Fleck in an odd pastiche Scorsese thriller with Joker as both Travis Bickle and Rupert Pupkin – and granted the unearned honour of killing a character played by Robert De Niro. I found it bizarrely overpraised and overrated by saucer-eyed pundits, but it became a prize-winning sensation – and perpetuated the awards-season tradition of rewarding the idea of comedy on the strict understanding that it’s not supposed to be funny.

Now the sequel is here, and though it ends up as strident, laborious and often flat-out tedious as the first film, there’s an improvement. It’s a musical, of sorts, with Phoenix and others warbling show tune standards, often in fantasy set pieces, a little in the way of Dennis Potter’s Pennies from Heaven. This gives it structure and flavour that the first film didn’t have.

And that sensational acting and musical talent Lady Gaga is now in the mix – though with nothing like the humanity and depth she had in Bradley Cooper’s A Star Is Born – as Harleen Quinzel (that is, Harley Quinn) a deeply disturbed psychiatric patient who meets Joker in the music therapy class that he is allowed to attend as reward for good behaviour while on remand waiting to stand trial for his five murders. They fall deeply in love – with each other, that is, adding to the existing self-adoration of each, although it is never clear whether the leads’ narcissism is intentional.

No doubt about it, – the opening is sensational. A spoof Warner Bros Looney Tunes cartoon reprises the story so far, raising the curtain for a barnstorming first section showing Arthur’s prison existence. There’s a great supporting cast, with Brendan Gleeson as the prison guard (weirdly, it is only Gleeson whose character tells a joke while giving some indication of what one sounds like), Catherine Keener is Arthur’s lawyer, Steve Coogan is a tabloid TV interviewer and Zazie Beetz briefly reprises her role as Arthur’s former neighbour.

There’s a real spark when Joker and Harley meet-uncute in the joint. But the whole movie finally turns out to be oppressively, claustrophobically and repetitively becalmed in that oddly unreal Gotham-universe jail with Phoenix and Gaga kept apart for long periods – and Phoenix’s own performance is as single-note as before, though certainly as forceful and his screen presence is potent.

The Joker’s Defense

The gameplan of defense lawyer Maryanne Stewart (Keener) is to convince the judge that her client was psychologically disturbed by his abusive upbringing and that he deserves hospital treatment on the grounds of diminished responsibility. District attorney Harvey Dent (Harry Lawtey) says Arthur is not mad and deserves the electric chair.

As for Arthur, he is conflicted. He understands that the insanity plea is his only chance. But he also longs to embrace his Joker destiny again – to embrace the crazy scary-clown persona that his lawyer tells him to reject: it has given him celebrity status and a heroic destiny and it has brought him love with Harley.

Harley Quinn: A Disturbing Love Story

Lady Gaga brings a sly and manipulative malice to her role: Harley is secretive, smart and genuinely disturbed in a way that Arthur/Joker perhaps isn’t. Is she to be the Lady Macbeth of DC supervillainy?

Sort of. The story as constructed doesn’t give her character much of a chance at development – in that direction or any other. And it is possible to feel very restless during the final section and wonder whether anything remotely plausible, sad, funny or unexpected will be revealed about Arthur, given that the film’s body language insists on its mythic importance.

This crazy self-possession propels the film up its laborious narrative gradient. And Lady Gaga delivers a diva charge. Could it be that her Harley Quinn will return in an adventure of her own?

A Musical Misstep?

The sequel is getting mixed reactions with some critics calling it a “musical misstep.” The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received an 11-minute standing ovation. Despite the initial praise, early reviews suggest the film may not be a critical or commercial success. The film follows the same formula as its predecessor with a darker tone and a focus on Arthur's descent into madness. The film has been criticized for being repetitive and lacking in substance. While the musical elements are a welcome change, they don't necessarily elevate the film. Some argue that the film's reliance on musical numbers detracts from the story rather than enhances it.

This time around, the film is set in a Gotham-universe jail where Arthur is institutionalized after being convicted for the murders in the first film. The plot revolves around the relationship between Arthur and Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga. The two meet in music therapy, bonding over their shared love for music and their troubled pasts.

The film is shot in a claustrophobic and repetitive manner, with the audience spending much of the time watching Phoenix and Gaga trapped in a prison setting. “Joker: Folie à Deux” is a film that will likely leave audiences with a sense of unease. It's a dark and twisted story that doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of mental illness and the complexities of love and obsession. Some viewers may find the film's bleakness and repetitive nature off-putting while others may appreciate the film's raw and unflinching portrayal of human psychology. “Joker: Folie à Deux” is a film that will undoubtedly generate conversation and debate, but it is unlikely to achieve the same level of critical acclaim as its predecessor.

The film will be released in theaters on October 4, 2024, and will be available on digital platforms shortly thereafter.

'Joker: Folie à Deux' A Movie for the Masses

“Joker: Folie à Deux” is a film that is not for everyone. It's a dark and twisted story that is not afraid to explore the darker aspects of human nature and mental illness. The film also features some graphic violence and disturbing imagery. However, it is also a film that is full of passion and intensity. It's a film that will stay with you long after you've seen it, and it is sure to generate discussion and debate. For those who are looking for a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, “Joker: Folie à Deux” is a movie worth watching.