What's up with Joaquin Phoenix?

[Eaglesfan27]

I've been convinced it is an act all along. For someone who is trying to appear psychotic, he is in remarkable control.

[samifan24]

Originally Posted by Mustang

I'm convinced it is an act now.

But to what end? Why is he doing this? I've heard rumors of a Borat-type documentary. Is that it?

[timmynausea]

Originally Posted by samifan24

But to what end? Why is he doing this? I've heard rumors of a Borat-type documentary. Is that it?

That's what I've heard as well.

[Rizon]

In other surprising news: Lance Bass is gay.

Casey Affleck Admits his Joaquin Phoenix Documentary Wasn't Real

hxxp://popwatch.ew.com/2010/09/16/casey-affleck-admits-his-joaquin-phoenix-documentary-wasnt-real-are-you-at-all-surprised/

[Ksyrup]

The flaw in this is that it lacked any believablity. If he was a good rapper, then maybe the "is this real?" thing would have worked. But when you read this kind of scene, it's impossible for him to be doing this for real, when he's essentially making himself look like a fool:

The candid film includes footage of him apparently taking drugs, surfing the internet for call girls, hosting prostitutes, diving off a stage to attack a heckler and vomiting.

It also features rap star Sean Combs, who, after several failed attempts on Phoenix's part to set up a meeting, agrees to listen to a demo of his hip-hop music. Combs's face as he listens to the three demo tracks is one of the movie's highlights, and Phoenix leaves crestfallen when Combs makes clear he will not produce his record.

I mean, that's basically a celebrity humiliating himself American Idol-style. Who believes that's real?

[whomario]

Wasting well over a year of your life for sth that couldn´t possibly make sense or work (i.e. fool anyone) is just sad to see.

I mean, what the hell was he thinking ?

It´s not even good as a publicity stunt in regards to future work prospects. I mean, is there any way he´s getting a decent character role ever again ? Or is the "retirement" part actually true ?

totally unrelated factoid : One of his sisters (actress as well aparently but also sang back up vocals for REM and the Red Hot Chili peppers ...) is named "Rain Joan of Arc Bottom".Seriously ?

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by whomario

Wasting well over a year of your life for sth that couldn´t possibly make sense or work (i.e. fool anyone) is just sad to see.

I mean, what the hell was he thinking ?

It´s not even good as a publicity stunt in regards to future work prospects. I mean, is there any way he´s getting a decent character role ever again ? Or is the "retirement" part actually true ?

totally unrelated factoid : One of his sisters (actress as well aparently but also sang back up vocals for REM and the Red Hot Chili peppers ...) is named "Rain Joan of Arc Bottom".Seriously ?

It's original, at least, when Hollywood isn't doing anything remotely original. He tried to do something people haven't been doing. Heard a critic on the radio this morning, said that in retrospect, knowing it wasn't real (he didn't know it wasn't real when he saw it) and also knowing what a fool Phoenix had made of himself and what risk he took doing this, the critic was impressed with the dedication and, looking back, that Phoenix did an inspired job of acting/role playing (both in real life and in the documentary).

As for his future in character roles or in leads, I am not sure why this project would affect his prospects. If he says he's out of "retirement", I would presume studios would flock to hiring him again.

Circle Sept. 22 (next Wednesday) on your calendar. Apparently he's doing Letterman that night.

[Ksyrup]

How can it be original when the first thing anyone thought of after the Letterman appearance was Andy Kaufman? OK, so he filmed it. That makes it Andy Kaufman crossed with Blair Witch Project (which, itself, has been copied a ton of times since - most recently this Catfish "documentary" about FB relationships which appear to be fake (at least, it appears everyone involved knew the truth but filmed it as if they didn't) but is being promoted as real) crossed with any number of celebrity-based reality shows that are basically scripted commercials following their lives.

But again, this one was so preposterous, it couldn't have the desired effect. I'm not sure why you'd give that away at this point, though.

[DeToxRox]

Tried too hard to be Borat.

[albionmoonlight]

Must have been cool to have that awesome beard as part of your job.

/jealous

[k0ruptr]

I donno, I find it really neat and interesting. Props to them for trying something that not many would have the balls for.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

How can it be original when the first thing anyone thought of after the Letterman appearance was Andy Kaufman? OK, so he filmed it. That makes it Andy Kaufman crossed with Blair Witch Project (which, itself, has been copied a ton of times since - most recently this Catfish "documentary" about FB relationships which appear to be fake (at least, it appears everyone involved knew the truth but filmed it as if they didn't) but is being promoted as real) crossed with any number of celebrity-based reality shows that are basically scripted commercials following their lives.

But again, this one was so preposterous, it couldn't have the desired effect. I'm not sure why you'd give that away at this point, though.

Okay, if not absolutely original, sure as hell a lot more original than the "Space Babies" crap or whatever comic book hero film or old TV show restart or the same-ole-same-ole by the numbers action-suspense-rom com-blah-blah movies we usually get from the studios.

I don't why they would admit it's fake now; you would have to ask them. If it's as preposterous as you say (have you seen it? the critic I mentioned above said the same thing, that some of it was just so unbelievable, it had to be a gag), wouldn't it be obvious, anyway, so what's the point in keeping up the act?

I'm not saying this is great entertainment or nothing; I just don't see why the form in which it was taken is such a negative. It was a not so cookie cutter approach to a personal documentary, and the making of the documentary was part of the film and the hype for it really. A different way of doing things to be sure, but it still seems to have been a creative project with some merit to it.

[Ksyrup]

Interesting:

In the Times interview, Affleck says Letterman was unaware of the joke. But according to an August 19, 2009, interview with one of his writers, Letterman was very much in on it. In NUVO Newsweekly, an independent weekly from Indianapolis, Marc D. Allan spoke to Bill Scheft, Letterman's monologue writer.

In the interview Scheft reveals, "Dave knew about it and Dave loved it because he could play along. He could do whatever he wanted with it. And he did, and it was great television." The writer also says he gave Letterman a line to use during a commercial break. "I will take credit for the line, 'I think I owe Farrah Fawcett an apology.' That line was mine."

What's amazing is that this interview is from 2009, and yet nobody seemed to pick up on it. We called Mr. Allan to confirm that Mr. Scheft was being sincere in the interview. Mr. Allan says that not only was Mr. Scheft sincere, but he (Mr. Allen) sent the article out to numerous publications as proof that Phoenix's behavior was just a ruse. Nobody ever picked up on it.

Writer Says Letterman Knew Phoenix Was Faking - A-Line: the celebrity style blog - omg! on Yahoo

[Sun Tzu]

Originally Posted by k0ruptr

I donno, I find it really neat and interesting. Props to them for trying something that not many would have the balls for.

+1

[Dodgerchick]

wait, its fake? i think a new movie genre is born, we can call 'em... mockumentaries

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by Dodgerchick

wait, its fake? i think a new movie genre is born, we can call 'em... mockumentaries

Yeah, exactly.

[Ksyrup]

Man, asses are being covered all over the place! Dude admits this wasn't real, questions pop up about whether Letterman knew that, someone points out that the question was asked and answered a year ago and no one bothered to follow-up, that story gained some traction, and then all of a sudden Phoenix is back on Letterman and they're having a conversation about how Phoenix is sorry for deceiving Dave and Dave says he had fun with it, etc.

What a load of BS.

[Mustang]

There are alot of things to get yer panties in a wad for and this ain't one of em'. Bottom line is he did something creative (how good it was you could debate). Who knew what and when is pointless. Oh noes, I was deceived by Joaquin Phoenix!!! It's a mockumentary not Watergate.

I'll probably watch it because I like Joaquin Phoenix and it is probably more interesting that 90% of the crap that shoveled down our throat.

[Ksyrup]

Oh I don't give a shit about him or the movie. I just think the posturing is transparent.

[Passacaglia]

I don't get it -- if it's fake, wouldn't that mean there's not really a film?

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Oh I don't give a shit about him or the movie. I just think the posturing is transparent.

Sorry, my 'panties in a wad' was a generic reference to the coverage being given to this and 'apologies' coming out... not directed towards you.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

I don't get it -- if it's fake, wouldn't that mean there's not really a film?

It's kinda like Spinal Tap and its ilk, I suppose - only with the actors playing themselves.

[DanGarion]

How about that Borat.