In Praise of Joaquin -- Back Off Bitches, Don't Give Phoenix a Bad Rap

In recent weeks, Joaquin Phoenix has willfully, or not, made himself a kind of multi-media punch line -- first by announcing he was retiring from acting to pursue a career as a rapper, then with his fantastically curious appearance on David Letterman's show, and finally when Ben Stiller brilliantly parodied that same oddball appearance at the Academy Awards.

Now I am as unclear as the next clueless pundit about whether or not Phoenix's retirement story is all an elaborate post-modern gag and the documentary being shot by Casey Affleck is one big Sasha Baron Cohen-styled put-on. But having had the pleasure of working with Phoenix a couple of times -- interviewing him, filming him, and writing and producing a Walk The Line TV special that he and Reese Witherspoon hosted -- I just wanted to add one man's slightly kinder, gentler perspective.

From my limited experiences with him, Joaquin Phoenix seems like one of the more sincere people in a business where that quality is in dangerously short supply. As a result, he seems to have considerable trouble with just going along on the star-studded flow. At the Walk The Line TV special, Joaquin was utterly paralyzed with fear by the idea of getting onstage as himself and speaking to an audience without a character to hide behind. Another time we met up, he seemed slightly tortured about how to accept an award he had won without being an arrogant Hollywood schmuck.

Coming from the family Joaquin did, and experiencing the loss that he has, how could he not be ambivalent about some of the more silly side effects of celebrity? And even though one sensed that he could be a lot of work to deal with me, it was clear to me that this is a man who is probably tougher on himself than on anyone else. In fact, from what I saw, he treated people around him with great warmth and generosity. And even if the guy was driving you crazy -- he did so in a charming, lovable and sweet way.

And let's not forget one significant mitigating factor - that Joaquin Phoenix is one of those rare actors capable of true onscreen greatness. For proof, see To Die For, Gladiator, Quills, Hotel Rwanda and Walk The Line. About that last role: I can think of few gigs in film history that took bigger balls to take on than playing and singing the part of Johnny Cash. Having spent some time with the real Man in Black, let me restate the obvious and remind everyone that Joaquin Phoenix pulled it all off spectacularly and that Reese Witherspoon ought to let him have custody of her Oscar part-time since they shared that triumph very much together.

So tonight, I'm going to go see Joaquin Phoenix in Two Lovers, and I for one am also going to hope for that our sakes that Joaquin keeps acting, and that he gets to take the stage at the Oscars stage someday soon and do a really funny parody of Ben Stiller - maybe he can even rap it too.

Comments

[Holypat777]

I put his bearded picture on the wall of my office. Every time I see it I laugh more and more. And NOT at him either.

I'm now hooked on the suspense trail. I'd let him work in my office like that. It would be hilarious.

[gemcitykid]

All I can think of when I see Joaquin Phoenix is the tragic loss of his equally gifted actor brother River, who died a drug addicted death in Joaquin's (his name was Leaf at the time) arms on the the sidewalk in front of the Viper Room on Sunset Blvd. Let's pray that whatever Mr. Phoenix is doing now is a joke. And if it is, it's in really bad taste, all things considered.

[learntofly]

As great as Joaquin's talent is, it is sad that a few in the media and sadly, the entertainment industry itself, have taken great pleasure in excessive ridicule. Letterman's job is to make light of any situation. Even though the interview was obviously uncomfortable for both, I don't think there was any personal disrespect there. The Ben Stiller impersonation was a different story. It wasn't received well, because it was a personal jab. Made Stiller look either mean, jealous, clueless in the area of comedy, or any combination of those.

Joaquin has the last laugh. He has the talent, and is a star. There is nothing wrong with Joaquin wanting to do something other than acting. Who is to say that something he does in a completely different field won't be even more great, or at least more fulfilling? You gotta do what makes you happy. Nobody's going to argue with that.

Good article, David!

[OldJewEyes]

Thank you learntofly
Well stated

DW

[LollieDotCom]

I love Juaquin, he's such a sweet soul. If he needs help, then get him help. If he doesn't, then everyone needs to just let that man live his life anyway he likes.

No matter what, he's precious.

[OldJewEyes]

Apparently there's a lot of love for the guy out there -- but not much in the media

[marysandra]

Thank you, Mr. Wild. Mr. Phoenix is indeed a brilliant and gifted actor. But sometimes fans think they "own " a star.. If he wishes to retire, Godspeed, it's his life. He will be sorely missed. Perhaps he is uncomfortable with fame, who could blame him? His performance as Johnny Cash brought me to tears, I think he was robbed of the Oscar that year. I found him a better version of the "real" Johnny Cash, and I was a huge fan of the original. The emotional intensity and pure talent in his performance will never grow old.

[OldJewEyes]

And along comes marysandra, and speaks the truth

[gaja]

I agree completely --Joaquin is brilliant. I'll be sad if he is truly retiring from acting - but happy for him if he finds a new creative outlet. Whatever he does, I'll remain a fan for life.

[xs10shl1]

Mr. Wild,
First, thanks for writing this essay.
While I am not a raging Joaquin Phoenix fan, I was disappointed that he didn't receive more recognition for his Johnny Cash role. Then after his recent announcements and appearances, I thought people were just plain mean in their reactions. I kept thinking, doesn't anyone recall his Brother's untimely death? Why be mean to someone who MIGHT be suffering?
Thanks for your compassionate, intelligent commentary. I wish the best to Mr. Phoenix.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to vent. (I'm hoping he and Letterman and Stiller are in cahoots and that they'll come forward and tell us we've been punked, or whatever; that it was a stunt gone bad and they're sorry for playing with our emotions!)

[OldJewEyes]

Thanks X
Yes, I think we almost forget his family history with fame.

[dutchgirl55]

It's entirely possible that Mr. Phoenix has developed a mental illness and needs help. He's exhibiting some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, for example: a loss or a decrease in the ability to initiate plans, speak, express emotion, or find pleasure in everyday life. These symptoms are harder to recognize as part of the disorder and can be mistaken for laziness...

If true, he needs his friends and family to get him help as soon as possible.

[OldJewEyes]

Don't forget he's a great actor -- so he may only be acting crazy

[Charity]

if so, then what's the difference from "being crazy" to "acting crazy" to a bystander? it still appears "crazy" unless someone lets us in on the "joke" if indeed it is a joke.

if this is performance art, then i do wonder what comes after the art - or the act - when it is declared "over." if joaquin is making a transition to a rapper, it's not working out. we've yet to see any real evidence that he can actually "rap." what we've seen are attempts that have failed miserably.

if joaquin is making a transition to performance artist, within a film by casey affleck, he has put himself on a long road with no apparent end in sight. fans of his acting career have been alienated; fans of his rapping career appear to be non-existent; bookers and presenters who might have showcased his new rap career are also being alienated - and mystified.

so, this brings us to the question: what's the point? none of it makes very much sense, including the so called change of career to rap, or the so called (by observers) change of career to performance artist, or the ending of a brilliant acting career to become a current day buffoon.

therefore, "being crazy" and "acting crazy" tend to not matter as separate distinctions when it comes to our public selves. perception is all. i wish him well, but frankly i won't know it's an act until joaquin tells us so.

[PhilipB]

I like Joaquin Pheonix from what I have seen in films.
My feeling is this: if he wants to retire and do something else, then good for him! How lucky he is to have found a creative outlet, something he loves. So many people's dreams have been crushed by the recession, that when someone has the financial ability to create the life they want I say go for it!
I think if he is so nervous about accepting awards then do not go to award shows. If he is going to be rude and insulting on talk shows, then why bother going?
So Joaquin, I personally hope to not see you if you are going to be a grump and not contribute anything. Life is hard enough for people. To mope around is self centered and indulgent. If this is all a charade, then I have to say I dislike people who play games. Be true to yourself, follow your bliss, and maybe in the process make a positive contribution.

[wayoutleft]

thanks for standing up for creativity, individualism, and self expression. i know you yourself wouldn't agree- but imho it's time for huffpo readers especially to recognize that letterman, obrien, kimmel, leno, stewart, et al. are establisment bullies used to keep entertainment in business mode at all times and ridicule anything adventurous intellectual or creative. SNL especially has always been a political tool- however funny at times.

[OldJewEyes]

thank you -- for the praise and for an interesting point of view on this

[gaja]

wow - i agree we should stand up for creativity and self expression but don't see how you can put all talk show hosts into one big box... it's true - there's a business side to what they are doing - but it also takes a lot of creativity and courage to be a professional comedian and to conduct interviews with people never knowing what they will say or how they will say it... stewart, imho, is a genius. his interviews surpass anything so-called "professional journalists" can do... i can't remember a single interview where o'brien bullied anyone... are you just against satire in general? in these dire times, we need the comedians to make us laugh...

[wayoutleft]

against satire? i used to make a little money at it... so, yes, i loathe satire. i'm really still galled by the treatment of the palins. i am very surprised at myself for how i reacted to that- very viscerally. the palins are civilians. in these depopulated frontier states you can go from city council to governor to national recognition without going through any real changes- any exposure to the likes of these comics. i stupidly expected sophisticates like them to respect somewhat of a distinction between the palin family and, say, dick cheney. but i guess the politics are too all-consuming now.

[eequanimity]

Thank-you for writing this article Mr. Wild, I found it interesting and more objective than any other article I have read in the last few weeks about Mr. Phoenix. I think Mr. Phoenix has tremendous talent but moreover he seems like a decent human being who values truth and simply wants to live his life the way he wishes. Bravo to you and him for having the courage to subvert expectation and routine.

[OldJewEyes]

Thank you
That's why I wrote it -- I didn't like that nobody seemed to stand up for this very talented and -- in my limited experience -- very nice guy.

[sisterdebmac]

David, did you miss this article...?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-willman/joaquins-new-role_b_166546.html

Pretty excellent.

[littlepuffycloud]

Thank you Mr. Wild. I've loved Joaquin Phoenix since Parenthood and think the recent attacks on him have been ridiculous. People are accusing him of everything from psychosis to herion addiction. Thanks for sticking up for his character, kindness and immense ability to act. We're going to see Two Lovers this weekend. I hope it's not his last movie because he is a brilliant actor.

[OldJewEyes]

My god I forgot about Parenthood -- what a great movie. Have to re-watch now that I am a parent myself.
Thanks,
DW

[Ciela]

Wonderful article, thank you! I would love to see the Walk the Line TV special that you produced. Is it possible to view it online?

[OldJewEyes]

Not that I know of.
The Executive Producer was Ken Ehrlich and I worked on a similar show with him and Taylor Hackford and Jamie Foxx called "Genius: A Night For Ray Charles" that is out on DVD, but "I Walk The Line: A Night For Johnny Cash" doesn't seem to be available.

Here is a listing on who was on the show that I found online:
http://www.inbaseline.com/project.aspx?project_id=178450

[Ciela]

Thank you for your reply. Is there a possibility that you could convince the "powers that be" to either put it online or out on DVD? It's a shame that the public is not able to view it. With all those talented people that participated in this show to pay tribute to a legend, it sounds like a must-see!

[robyn408]

You're the first person I've cme across to actually print something in consideration of Joaquin Phoenix previously and I add that everything else I've read has been senseless rubbish. No, I don't think this guy is mentally ill or on drugs and it's ridiculous to even think of that when no one who has spoke out even personally knows the guy! Like his rep said "Another 15 minute expert is born!"

[OldJewEyes]

Thanks -- I try to write at least sensible rubbish.
I think the guy has earned the benefit of a doubt

[TotallyAmazed]

Thank you, Mr. Wild, for the kind and generous thoughts on Joaquin Phoenix. Some people have been so over-the-top mean in their assessment of him, when, in reality, what has he done that deserves such nastiness? He's acted a little weird. . . . oh my. When you've got celebs being arrested for beating their girlfriends to the point of needing medical care - Phoenix 's behavior is quite mild - don't you think? I mean - did anyone need medical attention after his recent appearances? Not unless you hurt your spleen laughing at him and Dave.

After seeing that Letterman appearance I had the same 'what the heck' moment that many others did. I have to say that to lose an actor of his caliber would be a real loss. We just don't have all that many good, solid, interesting actors from the young group. He's got that brooding, dark thing down to an art, and he can pull it off to perfection. /TA

[OldJewEyes]

Well said

[kinogod]

Entertainment is a soul sucking business. Hacks, fakes, insincerity masquerading as friendship become gleeful backstabers when the mighty fall. One can't help but be a rubbernecker at this traffic accident. Mr. Phoenix is a talented actor. It is clear that he can't stand the fakery and glad-handing that goes along with promoting his films. And if he is to be believed, he is done with acting. He's cut a considerable swath of interesting characters and if truth is being told now wants a rap career. Even if he sucks, who cares? Even if he falls off a stage mouthing indecipherable lyrics to a muddy beat, who cares? I guess we rubberneckers on the Entertainment crash derby do care.

JP's got the bank to experiment, let him do it.

Casey Affleck is another great actor -- anyone see his bravura Phoenix-like performance in the Pitt-Jesse James film? If he is making a documentary on Phoenix's rise from the ashes of his own making, it should focus less on the music career he wants and more on how the public will not accept change or experimentation from it's thespians. The brutal backlash is built in. We as the collective audience rarely want risk and experimentation from known brands.

Phoenix has a gentleness to him that one hopes won't be crushed by the machine. Still, do another letterman train wreck and we'll all probably watch.

[OldJewEyes]

Either way, I am looking forward to this documentary.