Joaquin Phoenix is either the worst hip hop star since Vanilla Ice … or a prankster in the mold of Andy Kaufman.
Does it really matter which is right?
Phoenix famously retired from acting two years ago and turned his attention to hip hop music. The new documentary “I’m Still Here” chronicles that journey, complete with his infamous appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
From the beginning, media outlets smelled a rat – or, rather, a Punk’d in progress.
Was it all a publicity stunt, or performance art writ very large? This film critic can’t decide if it matters or not.
“Borat” was a blend of written sketches and improv comedy, and I howled all the way through it. Only later, especially after watching Sacha Baron Cohen’s limp follow-up “Bruno,” did I start wondering what was real, what was fake and how much the latter left me grumpy.
We may find out the truth when Phoenix’s documentary, directed by Casey Affleck, opens in select theaters Sept. 10. Or, perhaps the mystery will endure long after the credits roll.
(Photo: Joaquin Phoenix quits acting for a career in hip-hop music in the new documentary “I’m Still Here.”/Magnolia Pictures)
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Does it matter if ‘I’m Still Here’ is real?
Joaquin Phoenix is either the worst hip hop star since Vanilla Ice … or a prankster in the mold of Andy Kaufman.
Does it really matter which is right?
Phoenix famously retired from acting two years ago and turned his attention to hip hop music. The new documentary “I’m Still Here” chronicles that journey, complete with his infamous appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
From the beginning, media outlets smelled a rat – or, rather, a Punk’d in progress.
Was it all a publicity stunt, or performance art writ very large? This film critic can’t decide if it matters or not.
“Borat” was a blend of written sketches and improv comedy, and I howled all the way through it. Only later, especially after watching Sacha Baron Cohen’s limp follow-up “Bruno,” did I start wondering what was real, what was fake and how much the latter left me grumpy.
We may find out the truth when Phoenix’s documentary, directed by Casey Affleck, opens in select theaters Sept. 10. Or, perhaps the mystery will endure long after the credits roll.
(Photo: Joaquin Phoenix quits acting for a career in hip-hop music in the new documentary “I’m Still Here.”/Magnolia Pictures)
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