Sunday Movie: I'm Still Here

Alright, I realize this movie and all the hoopla that came along with it is old news already but I felt like I should chime in since I was one of those crazy fans who followed along every step of the way.  First of all, I think Joaquin Phoenix is one of the most brilliant actors of our generation.  He completely submerges himself in his roles and rarely ever disappoints. From the moment I watched Walk the Line, I was hooked.  I couldn't believe he didn't win an Oscar for his performance...robbed, I say...ROBBED!  Preparation wise, this movie was no different.  It's been reported that when he prepares for his roles he rarely breaks character even when the cameras are not rolling.  It's safe to say he went beyond his normal commitment to character in I'm Still Here.

We watched as he started down the road to self-destruction.  He begins to get a little less tolerant and disrespectful with the journalists who interviewed him.  Then he randomly makes his announcement of retirement from acting for a rap career to Extra...say what?  Then of course there was the infamous Letterman interview.  I'm guilty of watching this video several times searching for signs of alcoholism, drug addiction or psychosis. Although, it seemed logical he would be ready to retire after such a long and successful career, I was on the fence whether it was real or a hoax as I'm sure many people were.  Celebrities lose it all the time...look at Charlie Sheen.  He had a HUGE cup of crazy!

Now onto the film where he quits acting to be a rapper.  Wow, 50% of the movie was disturbing to watch.  It starts off with a home video clip of young Joaquin with his father in Panama, which is actually actors filmed in Hawaii.  Reminiscent of a much more simple and happy time in his life perhaps. Then it moves on to Joaquin evaluating (mumbling about) his life as an actor. I didn't  mind the ratty hair, chain smoking, the 10 extra pounds or the fact that it looked as though he had forgotten the location of his shower for months.  It was the constant disrespectful words and incoherent outbursts to everyone around him that started to grate on my nerves making it near impossible to watch.  Then there was the poo scene, snorting white powder and hiring hookers for the night.  It was strange but I didn't dislike the entire movie.  The speech "Mountain Top Water Drop" by Edward James Olemos (written by Casey Affleck) was most likely the best part.  There were a few interesting moments with Ben Stiller and Sean Combs. I had no idea they were in on it as well. The movie ends in the same place it began, Panama to ponder life.  Overall the performance art, mokumentary whatever you want to call it, was a brilliant idea...the execution of that idea was awkward.

Interview a year later.

The Letterman interview a year or so later, I thought was a great way for the lost year of Joaquin Phoenix to come full circle.  He explains that he wanted to explore the relationship between celebrity, media and consumers, in a reality TV fashion.  Fair enough.
Poor Joaquin looks like he's reaching for his phone when the subject of Dave Letterman's part in the film comes up....nope can't call your publicist and lawyers while on stage.  Letterman is a big guy, that had to be intimidating.


He's back to his old self...Thank God! I can totally appreciate this creative endeavor of his.  Now let's just hope he comes out with another blockbuster.  I haven't heard  news of an upcoming starring role which leads me to believe he may have stepped on some toes along the way with this elaborate hoax.  But I'm crossing my fingers that we will see green eyes again.  I need something great to erase the image of him in this movie from my brain.