Joaquin Phoenix could also be some of the revered actors in current cinematic historical past, however his method-acting mockumentary I am Nonetheless Right here almost halted the trajectory of his total profession upon its launch in 2010. To not be confused with the current Oscar-winning Brazilian movie of the identical identify, I am Nonetheless Right here (streaming on Prime Video) follows Phoenix as he performs a caricatured model of himself who has introduced his retirement from appearing and determined to pursue a rap profession.
Because the years go, watching I am Nonetheless Right here grows increasingly sinister in feeling, particularly contemplating the involvement of sure personnel, like director Casey Affleck, and (double particularly) Sean “Diddy” Combs. Whereas the movie is satirical in nature, it nonetheless goes down in historical past as a miss for Phoenix and a basic blemish on his in any other case spectacular profession.
What is the Premise of ‘I am Nonetheless Right here’?
I am Nonetheless Right here in all probability sounds completely outlandish, and it’s. Granted, that is the purpose. Phoenix and Affleck, his brother-in-law on the time, have been amazed by how willingly the general public accepted actuality tv as unscripted fact. As an elaborate experiment, they created I am Nonetheless Right here. Phoenix really introduced to Hollywood that he was quitting appearing to pursue rap music and “lived” within the position for a number of months. He events, engages with name ladies, performs his unique music at venues all through L.A., and makes varied public appearances to provide the impression that he has really shifted his profession trajectory.
Phoenix pursues Combs because the producer of his debut album, and Combs himself seems within the movie a number of instances. A slew of (largely) unproblematic acquainted faces present up in I am Nonetheless Right here as nicely, together with Jack Nicholson, Robin Williams, Natalie Portman, Ben Stiller, Danny DeVito, Billy Crystal, Sean Penn, Jamie Foxx, Robin Wright, and Hugh Grant, all of whom seem as themselves.
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I am Nonetheless Right here was meant to be a one-of-a-kind movie that “explored movie star, and explored the connection between the media and the shoppers and the celebrities themselves,” in accordance with Affleck. It’s, admittedly, an attention-grabbing idea. Phoenix goes maybe essentially the most technique any actor has ever gone for his position as himself, as for months on finish, the general public genuinely thought he was quitting appearing to be a rapper and was behaving fairly badly. When critics began to see the “documentary” itself, nobody may precisely pinpoint if it was severe or not. It took a very long time for any manufacturing firms to choose it up, as a result of everybody was simply…earnestly fooled and confused.
Why Is ‘I am Nonetheless Right here’ So Dangerous?
If I’ll converse to you instantly for a second, there have been instances that watching I am Nonetheless Right here really made me really feel sick to my abdomen. Look, I get the purpose. I get that every one the terrible issues Phoenix and the gang do in I am Nonetheless Right here are in service of engaging in their message. Nonetheless, simply because one thing is “satirical” or “meta” doesn’t make it fulfilling to observe. It additionally doesn’t inherently take away all culpability.
Whereas one thing like Borat manages to make extra of a salient assertion and is definitely humorous, I am Nonetheless Right here is simply remarkably uncomfortable, and never in any boundary-breaking approach. For one, having to see Combs converse to Phoenix in 2010, figuring out the whole lot that we all know now, and the whole lot that no less than some folks should have recognized then, is so ridiculously unsettling. I am Nonetheless Right here is kind of preposterously lewd, that includes a ton of nudity (no less than the boys are getting bare, too?), drug use, and even defecation. With a grainy digital camera high quality because the cherry on prime, I am Nonetheless Right here is extremely onerous to take a seat via.
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If you’re like me, and also you didn’t know that this film existed previous to in the present day, this will likely come as a little bit of a shock. I used to be disheartened to seek out out that Phoenix, whom I’ve all the time considered some of the dynamic, thrilling actors working in the present day, may have probably accomplished such a factor. Why, Joaquin, why? If something, paradoxically, it does function a bit of excellent commentary on movie star. (This actually confirmed me that I ought to be cautious about who I publicly venerate.)
Contemplating that two ladies accused Affleck of sexual misconduct on the set of I am Nonetheless Right here, whether or not the content material of the mockumentary is “good” is not related in discussing the methods through which it is so dangerous. Within the pursuit of what was primarily an ego-based improv train, actual folks have been damage and violated. Quite a few alleged predators have been concerned within the making of a poorly executed level – some extent which has been well-made in different movies and documentaries. I am Nonetheless Right here was not value it, and hopefully, Phoenix acknowledges that now.