Since I didn't get much sleep last night, I've had a lot of time to mull I'M STILL HERE, Casey Affleck's "documentary" about a year in the life of Joaquin Phoenix. Not just any year mind you, but a year plagued with some of the oddest celebrity behaviour this side of Mel Gibson. Despite all my mulling and pondering, I'm still left without a concrete point of view.
The reason I can't settle on a standpoint, is because all these hours later I'm still not completely certain whether what I just watched was truth or staged.
If I'M STILL HERE was truth, then it's the most fascinating look at a celebrity who has lost the plot. Phoenix seems so certain that quitting acting and pursuing a music career is what he wants to do. He can't seem to explain why, but then he was never exactly the chattiest persona when it came to explaining things in the first place. If Affleck's film is the record of this too-crazy-to-be-fake year, then this is worth seeing just to understand how far gone Phoenix really is.
If I'M STILL HERE is staged, then it's equally impressive - and a stunt of Kaufman-like proportions. Yes, rumours swirled for months that it was all a hoax, that all of this insanity was only happening for some sort of film. But even with that in mind, Phoenix never betrays himself. This bit of performance art went on for months, making him a punchline, certainly taking a big dent out of his livelihood, and bringing a lot of unsuspecting bystanders into the fray. You have to admire that sort of commitment.
There are markers in the film to suggest that it was staged, but there are just as many markers to suggest that this all happened...and the fact that it is thus far inconclusive makes it a successful film either way. The film includes many uncomfortable moments, some deft filmmaking, and indeed a lot of laughs.
I'M STILL HERE plays TIFF once more - Saturday September 18th at 8:30pm. It is also started it's limited theatrical run
Saturday, September 11, 2010
TIFF Review: I'M STILL HERE
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14 comments:
I have wanted to see this since I first heard about it. But it really annoys me that we don't know whether its real or not. I mean, the whole Phoenix family is a bit strange but I always had the impression that Joaquin is quite an intelligent person. And it just seems so strange to let yourself go like that and let someone else film you while doing it. It seems more like a stunt to me. But then, why?
Sorry, rambling on...I just really want to know the truth here!
Did you watch the final credits and stay until the very end Mad? I believe the truth is revealed then or so I heard.
@Vanessa... If it's a stunt, he's doing it as some sort of performance art piece like Andy Kaufman and his wrestling fascination. Thing is, how far is somebody supposed to take performance art of that ilk?
@ Castor... Nope. There was no one on hand to discuss the film. What have you heard?
Is it weird I kind of hope this is real? Just because it'd be so interesting, such an anecdote to tell the cinema-hungry grandkids, y'know? And he seems to earnest about it, it'd be kind of disappointing if it were fake.
Well, apparently the final credits go by really fast but they thank Tim Affleck (Casey's dad) for playing Phoenix's father. Also, they mention shooting in Hawaii when he is supposed to be in Panama to see his dad. Not something you would like to uncover if it's a documentary lol
I'm really looking forward to this On-Demand. I've heard some weird things, but I want to see how Phoenix plays it.
@ Simon... You're not the only one who wishes this were real, though more and more signs are pointing to it being staged. It might have been fake, but at least he was dedicated!
@ Castor... Interesting. Well, even if it was all fake, it;s still a very brazen experiment, and certainly conversation-worthy. The guy had a lot of people fooled!
@ Danny... Definitely worth a look. Be sure to post something about it once you get a chance to see it.
My thoughts on the matter is, knowing what happened to his brother, and knowing addiction exists in both his family and in his past, would Casey Affleck stand by and film while his brother-in-law snorts coke and self destructs?
@Simon-I really hope it is not real...it would be too sad if it was...
@ Mike... Probably not - which is all the more reason to think it was all calculated.
@ Vanessa... If it were all real, it would be sad, but also fascinating to document this sort of breakdown.
So with all these comments - does that mean anyone is gonna go see this for themself?
Watched it last night!
@ Vanessa... Read your post on it - very good work!
I think I can wait for video for it. I think the catch with something like this is being amongst the first to see it and be able to come back to others with the true/false verdict, and it sounds as though that's been done.
Whatever it is, it's weird. And, in general, I'm not a fan of fake/real docs - if I want a fake doc, I want a FAKE DOC a la Guest. Though this one is reminiscent of Exit Through the Gift Shop, and that was fascinating, regardless of what was real...
@ Fletch... Well here we are one week later, and news comes down that it was in fact all staged. Still leaves me liking the film, though as I said in this piece, I admire it as a piece of installation art. Still worth seeing, so don't write it off wntirely now that we know the truth.
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