Right off the bat let me state that this film is a mockumentary. It's a farce; the film is a work of fiction filmed in the documentary style. The film was released in 2010 so I don't feel that's really a spoiler. It would be hard to discuss the film if I had to keep up the illusion that this film was based in reality. That said, my lovely wife watched this film with me and was horrified to see the decent of Joaquin Phoenix as she had not read about the film and thought it was true.
I'm Still Here follows the day to day trials and tribulations of Joaquin Phoenix as he makes the transition from Hollywood heartthrob to novice struggling hip hop artist. We are introduced to his ass kissing entourage, his misbehaving dogs and his legendary beard growing prowess. We get to see Joaquin chase P. Diddy around the country in an attempt to have him produce his hip hop album. While all of these behaviors by Phoenix are funny or horrible depending upon your perspective, the real message of this film is the not Hollywood excess although that is part of it.
Affleck and Phoenix seem to be commenting instead of the obsession with celebrity in the media and by fans. Footage of skeptical media and idol worshiping fans are dispersed throughout the film. Even though some are skeptical about his motivations in becoming a hip hop artist and question the legitimacy of the documentary they are more than happy to report on the train wreck that Phoenix becomes.
Consider for a minute the performance itself. While this is a work of fiction Phoenix does gain a great deal of weight for the film and allows his hair and beard to become enormous and unclean. He also refrained from appearing in public without his crazy hip hop persona for a long period of time. When one considers the sacrifices and dedication on the part of Phoenix and Affleck to keep up the façade the film becomes more performance art than documentary.
Is I'm Still Here a good film? This is not going to be everyone's cup of tea and some are going to be repulsed by Phoenix's decent into drugs, whores and madness. I however, really enjoyed this film. Just think for a minute about how many people thought this was an actually documentary. Do you recall people's reaction to his appearance on Letterman while in character? Now consider the effort it took to pull that off. When those factors are considered, this may in fact be Phoenix's best work as an actor yet.
Should you see this film? If you are a fan of Andy Kaufman's comedy and to a lesser extent Sacha Baron Cohen's films I think you will enjoy I'm Still Here. Affleck and Phoenix had me laughing out loud as they skewered Hollywood fame and excess and the people who make that possible, the lackeys, the media, the stars egos the fans and even you and I.
I'm Still Here follows the day to day trials and tribulations of Joaquin Phoenix as he makes the transition from Hollywood heartthrob to novice struggling hip hop artist. We are introduced to his ass kissing entourage, his misbehaving dogs and his legendary beard growing prowess. We get to see Joaquin chase P. Diddy around the country in an attempt to have him produce his hip hop album. While all of these behaviors by Phoenix are funny or horrible depending upon your perspective, the real message of this film is the not Hollywood excess although that is part of it.
Affleck and Phoenix seem to be commenting instead of the obsession with celebrity in the media and by fans. Footage of skeptical media and idol worshiping fans are dispersed throughout the film. Even though some are skeptical about his motivations in becoming a hip hop artist and question the legitimacy of the documentary they are more than happy to report on the train wreck that Phoenix becomes.
Consider for a minute the performance itself. While this is a work of fiction Phoenix does gain a great deal of weight for the film and allows his hair and beard to become enormous and unclean. He also refrained from appearing in public without his crazy hip hop persona for a long period of time. When one considers the sacrifices and dedication on the part of Phoenix and Affleck to keep up the façade the film becomes more performance art than documentary.
Is I'm Still Here a good film? This is not going to be everyone's cup of tea and some are going to be repulsed by Phoenix's decent into drugs, whores and madness. I however, really enjoyed this film. Just think for a minute about how many people thought this was an actually documentary. Do you recall people's reaction to his appearance on Letterman while in character? Now consider the effort it took to pull that off. When those factors are considered, this may in fact be Phoenix's best work as an actor yet.
Should you see this film? If you are a fan of Andy Kaufman's comedy and to a lesser extent Sacha Baron Cohen's films I think you will enjoy I'm Still Here. Affleck and Phoenix had me laughing out loud as they skewered Hollywood fame and excess and the people who make that possible, the lackeys, the media, the stars egos the fans and even you and I.