Look at that face.
That? Is the face of misery.
The other big event of the evening: watching the Joaquin Phoenix faux-documentary I’m Still Here. I hated it, with a viciousness that I’m a little confused by, to be honest…I usually don’t have such strongly negative reactions to films. But to me, this felt like two bratty, egotistical stars (by which I mean Joaquin – who is, in my opinion, an absolutely unbelievable actor – and director Casey Affleck) screwing around with the people in their lives (and the public) for no demonstrable purpose. I understand that it was trying to explore the constructs of celebrity and fame and artifice and the line between performance and life, but I thought it took the easy way out by focusing on sensationalism (hookers! drugs!) and trite stereotypes of how stars act (sunglasses indoors! rude!).
When Kendrick and I were discussing the movie later on, I said something along the lines of “But it served no purpose!” and he looked at me, sort of surprised, because one thing I definitely believe in is entertainment for entertainment’s sake, and I don’t believe that a movie has to serve a greater purpose. But when you’ve so clearly set out to make a “statement” (which I feel like this movie did) and then create something that’s simultaneously uninteresting and unthoughtful…well…that’s not a movie I want to see.
So you can probably tell that something about this movie made me really angry. And I’m not quite sure what, exactly…but I think it has something to do with feeling like I’ve been taken for a ride, and not enjoying the sensation at all.
But. The movie obviously sparks conversation, and inspires strong reactions. And maybe that means that they pulled the whole thing off pretty brilliantly.
Have any of you seen the film? What did you think?
