This trailer was taken from: “I’m Still Here” Movie Trailer Official HD (Video). August 20, 2010. Retrieved November 22, 2010 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz6CU7pgiKc
I'm Still Here
Directed By: Casey Affleck
Written By: Casey Affleck and Joaquin Phoenix
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix
When Joaquin Phoenix appeared on the Letterman show in 2009 he left many people surprised. Following the interview many people were unsure whether Joaquin Phoenix was either, high? Acting? Or seriously retiring from Hollywood in order to pursue a rap career under the guidance of P Diddy? The interview left many stunned and everybody speculating about whether we were witnessing a spectacular break down or a elaborate and drawn out performance. With the release of I’m Still Here that question has been answered, whether that answer will fulfill people or not is a different matter.
I’m Still Here is a fascinating piece of cinema due to its nature. However the film is ultimately nowhere near as effective or edgy as it wants to be for two reasons.
1) The main crux of the hype towards this film was whether it was real or not, if that uncertainty had been kept until everybody had seen the film then it would have been much more tragic, emotional, effecting and memorable. Instead when Casey Affleck announced during the films release that it was a hoax, the film certainly lost something and instead just had to be viewed as one big joke, making certain scenes in the film lose all their potential emotional power.
2) The ideas of celebrity and fame being explored in this mockumentary is nothing that hasn’t already been explored in previous works. The unoriginality of the message behind the film certainly contributes to it being less effective.
The best part of I’m Still Here is without a doubt the now confirmed performance by Joaquin Phoenix. JP as he is referred to throughout the film, gives a performance that should truly be recognized for a number of reasons. He fully immersed and engaged himself in this character, you often hear actors blabber on about how much work they did to “become” the character…Joaquin became this character and maintained it for almost two years, he turned himself into a laughing stock, put himself almost out of work, did incredibly brave and stupid things, he risked physical and psychological damage, he risked being cut off from his industry. However the question must be asked…for what? Why put yourself through such a gripping and intense performance, just to have the mystery behind the film spoiled at its release and your ideas be nothing new?
While I can fully see from a PR standpoint why Casey Affleck had to come out and say it was a hoax, it still sacrificed almost everything the film was trying to do, rendering a lot of it pointless. However perhaps the films pointlessness is the point, the film mocks celebrity in a way that makes you think the sheer surrendering of its potential upon its release is merely an extension of the joke. Actors do all those things; act in certain ways but ultimately…why? You could argue that thesis and ultimately the ideas, or the possibility of the ideas behind I’m Still Here are more interesting than what is actually produced. Besides Joaquin’s fantastic performance, I’m Still Here is ultimately forgettable and sadly a missed opportunity. An engaging and gripping missed opportunity.
One Sentence Summary: A stunning performance from Joaquin but ultimately a film that doesn’t hit the heights it wants to and should do.
Rating: 6/10
I’m Still Here is a fascinating piece of cinema due to its nature. However the film is ultimately nowhere near as effective or edgy as it wants to be for two reasons.
1) The main crux of the hype towards this film was whether it was real or not, if that uncertainty had been kept until everybody had seen the film then it would have been much more tragic, emotional, effecting and memorable. Instead when Casey Affleck announced during the films release that it was a hoax, the film certainly lost something and instead just had to be viewed as one big joke, making certain scenes in the film lose all their potential emotional power.
2) The ideas of celebrity and fame being explored in this mockumentary is nothing that hasn’t already been explored in previous works. The unoriginality of the message behind the film certainly contributes to it being less effective.
The best part of I’m Still Here is without a doubt the now confirmed performance by Joaquin Phoenix. JP as he is referred to throughout the film, gives a performance that should truly be recognized for a number of reasons. He fully immersed and engaged himself in this character, you often hear actors blabber on about how much work they did to “become” the character…Joaquin became this character and maintained it for almost two years, he turned himself into a laughing stock, put himself almost out of work, did incredibly brave and stupid things, he risked physical and psychological damage, he risked being cut off from his industry. However the question must be asked…for what? Why put yourself through such a gripping and intense performance, just to have the mystery behind the film spoiled at its release and your ideas be nothing new?
While I can fully see from a PR standpoint why Casey Affleck had to come out and say it was a hoax, it still sacrificed almost everything the film was trying to do, rendering a lot of it pointless. However perhaps the films pointlessness is the point, the film mocks celebrity in a way that makes you think the sheer surrendering of its potential upon its release is merely an extension of the joke. Actors do all those things; act in certain ways but ultimately…why? You could argue that thesis and ultimately the ideas, or the possibility of the ideas behind I’m Still Here are more interesting than what is actually produced. Besides Joaquin’s fantastic performance, I’m Still Here is ultimately forgettable and sadly a missed opportunity. An engaging and gripping missed opportunity.
One Sentence Summary: A stunning performance from Joaquin but ultimately a film that doesn’t hit the heights it wants to and should do.
Rating: 6/10
