I'm Still Here might be the most talked-about movie that nobody knows is actually a movie in the 100-year history of cinema.
What exactly does that mean? Well, much like this movie itself, it's hard to explain.
Most people first heard of the project when a heavily bearded Joaquin Phoenix went on Letterman last year and gave the strangest interview in the history of Late Night, claiming he was quitting acting to pursue a hip-hop career. People thought he'd really gone off the deep end.
Or had he?
Brother-in-law Casey Affleck was following Phoenix everywhere camera in tow, leading to speculation that Phoenix was trying to pull a fast one. But how could such an in-demand, talented actor turn himself into a clownish Zach Galifianakis look-alike, even if it were for the sake of a practical joke?
Hence the trouble. Was this freak show actually going to be a movie, and if so, could Phoenix really be this crazy or had he made the conscious choice to go method and stay in this bizarre character 24/7?
And now for my disclaimer: The most important thing to remember, whether watching this movie or reading this review, is that this film isn't real. It's a giant inside joke, with Phoenix, Affleck and the audience being the only people in on it.
In the documentary
Phoenix is an out-of-control, self-centered jerk, to put it nicely. Tired of acting, being a doll as he puts it, what he really wants to do is rap - although it's clear to everyone besides himself he's appallingly bad.
Along the way Phoenix does cocaine, orders hookers, screams at bewildered assistants and has numerous amusing exchanges with celebrity friends who clearly aren't in on the charade. And I can't in good faith not mention a scene in which (no joke) a sleeping Joaquin has his face defecated on.
This all might sound a little in bad taste, and it is, but if you're viewing it as a performance and not real life, the film has merit and is, at the least, hysterical. The quantity of cringe-worthy moments alone is worth the ticket price.
As for what Phoenix is proving, it's hard to tell. Probably something to do with how obsessed with celebrities people are. That take is not necessarily new, but it is startling to see how quickly people turn on Phoenix, lampooning his decision and actions as if it actually mattered in their lives.
And that might be the best part. Everybody is snickering at JP, as the actor names his rapping alter ego, but in the end, he's just laughing at us.
Cameron Dunbar is a sophomore studying journalism. If you're still here, you're probably as nuts as Joaquin purports to be, so send him a crazy rant at cd211209@ohiou.edu. 3
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Cameron Dunbar
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