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Saturday
28Mar2009

Director Slams Joaquin's...Whatever That Is

DateSaturday, March 28, 2009 at 2:53PM
Remember when Joaquin Phoenix went on Letterman to promote his new film, Two Lovers, and the only thing peopler were taking about the next day was how Phoenix had gone off the deep end? His erratic behavor and unkempt appearance was suddenly the only headline, and Two Lovers faded into the background.

The disappointment is that Two Lovers is actually a really good film (read our review), and if Phoenix isn't in a frame of mind to properly promote it, then he shouldn't go on talk shows, particularly ones where the host is famous for ridiculing guests. You had to wonder how all of that impacted the cast of the film and director James Gray, especially since the film has failed to attract a lot of box office attention. And now, Gray is questioning Phoenix' state of mind and calling the whole transition to a rap career and the documentary apparently being filmed by Casey Affleck a "circus."

"It’s like, Letterman was trying to get the movie out there, but the only thing that’s out there now is a crazy person with a beard making a fool of himself,” Gray seethes in an interview with The Times. Calling Affleck a "clown," the writer-director adds, “I have no idea what the hell that guy is shooting. The whole thing is not to my taste, and I’ve let Casey know this.”

There are plenty of opinions on both sides of the debate over whether or not this is all a hoax. Gray doubts it's some elaborate scheme, like the one cooked up by Andy Kaufman in the early 1980s that also entered the zeitgeist courtesy of Letterman.

"Towards the end of the movie he kept saying, ‘I’m tired, I’m tired, I don’t want to act any more. I’ve been doing this for 30 years and I can’t take it!’ And I thought, at the time, he was just tired. But I must say, I’ve seen him in his house, and he has his own recording studio that he built right there. So if this is a hoax, then it’s the most elaborate thing that I have ever seen.”

“If it is shown to be a hoax, then that’s great, because Joaquin will come back to acting. And he is something special. But if it isn’t, you know, I think he needs, well, help.”

If you can find it, Two Lovers is still playing in over 100 theaters nationwide, and it's actually fairing better overseas, where it has made about 70% of its total box office.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment1 Comment |

Reader Comments (1)

I think that Joaquin Phoenix' new appearance is hotter than he's always been with that clean shaven baby face. As far as becoming a rapper, well I'll have to see that before I can really comment on it. Think about this: if someone like that freakishly ugly dood with the huge teeth, the loud smacken' lips (when he eats) that wears clocks around his neck can make it as a rapper, I'd say that just about any one has a chance...if they apply themselves to the fullest of their human potential. If I had the chance I'd say to Joaquin to ignore the haters and keep on being yourself, whatever yourself is! That's all I have to say about that. Peace out biatches!

Friday, April 10, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterHunky Hot Grrl

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