As the release date for the highly anticipated ‘Joker‘ sequel, ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’, draws near, the question of whether or not it’s a musical continues to linger. The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, was first reported to be a musical in 2022.
However, its cinematographer later downplayed this claim. Since then, everyone from the director to the lead actors has weighed in on the film’s musical elements. This has only confused fans even more. Moreover, Lady Gaga recently claimed that she does not see the film as a musical.
Lady Gaga Explains Music’s Role In ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’
Ahead of the film’s Venice Film Festival premiere, Lady Gaga was asked about the project’s relationship with music. “The way that we approached music in this film was very special and extremely nuanced. I wouldn’t necessarily say that this is actually a musical, in a lot of ways it’s very different,” she explained.
Her words make it clear that the film is not going to be a traditional musical. “The music is used to really give the characters a way to express what they need to say because the scene and just the dialogue is not enough,” she added. Moreover, Gaga made it clear that while the film has a lot of musical elements, it’s made in a very different way than a musical.
So ‘Folie À Deux’ may not be a traditional musical with elaborate song-and-dance numbers. However, music plays a significant role in conveying the characters’ emotions and thoughts. Additionally, it’s possible that the film incorporates musical elements in a more subtle, nuanced way.
‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ Will Take A New Approach To Musical Storytelling
The ambiguity surrounding ‘Joker: Folie À Deux‘ is perhaps a reflection of the film’s desire to push the boundaries of the musical genre. By blending traditional narrative elements with musical storytelling, the filmmakers may be aiming to create a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
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Moreover, the complex relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn could also influence the use of music. Music has long been recognized as a powerful tool for expressing emotions. And it may be particularly effective in conveying the characters’ inner turmoil and struggles.
Even the director of the film Todd Phillips found it hard to describe the film’s musical elements. “Most of the music in the movie is really just dialogue. It’s just Arthur not having the words to say what he wants to say, so he sings them instead,” he stated. Ultimately, whether or not ‘Folie À Deux‘ is classified as a musical may be less important than the impact that music has on the film’s overall storytelling.
