Joaquin Phoenix shocked Hollywood two years ago when he abruptly announced his retirement from acting, so he could pursue a career as a hip hop singer. Many people thought the whole thing was just a hoax (which turned out to be true), while others began to think that Joaquin may have lost his mind, especially after seeing his bizarre appearance on Letterman.
I’m Still Here is a “documentary” about the ups and many downs of Joaquin’s decision to leave a successful acting career to be a shaggy haired, scruffy bearded rapper. Joaquin wrote the screenplay along with his brother-in-law and fellow accomplished actor Casey Affleck, who is also the director of this strange project.
As the final credits began to roll, I was really surprised that two people with the amount of talent that Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck have could make such an awful movie.
The film begins with home footage of Joaquin as a child, then shows him as a successful actor followed by his announcement that he was retiring. As the film progresses, Joaquin gets hairier and hairier and his personal hygiene appears to get worse and worse.
Joaquin spends a lot time acting like an immature fool, laughing and bouncing around like he belongs in the loony bin. He often berates and threatens his personal assistants because of their supposed ineptitude.
When this is not happening, there are scenes involving drug use, prostitutes, full frontal male nudity and one person pooping on the face of another. I’m Still Here seems like one long video shot at some frat house that can be found at any campus around the country.
A few celebrities make appearances in the film as well. Ben Stiller visits Joaquin to try to get him to take a part in one of his movies, but leaves unsuccessful. Joaquin chases Shawn “P Diddy” Combs around the country trying to get him to produce his album. When Joaquin finally meets Diddy, he is told he has potential but not enough to work with him.
Edward James Olmos also visits Joaquin and gets all philosophical talking about creativity and water drops. Casey even shows up a few times in front of the camera looking like he has the same hair stylist as Joaquin.
There is also some footage of Joaquin actually trying to perform at some nightclubs around the country with disastrous results. The film ends with Joaquin going to Panama to visit his dad.
I’m Still Here is one of the dullest movies I have seen in some time. You would probably be more entertained watching a blank TV screen. There were several times that I considered cutting out early on this film, but I hoped at any minute that maybe, just maybe things would start to get better. It didn’t!
Joaquin has said that he got the idea for this project by watching reality TV. He and Casey wanted to show how celebrities deal with and interact with the media and society. The result of all their hard work is a film that no one will remember, other than it being a terrible movie.
Hopefully, Joaquin can put this dreadful attempt at filmmaking behind him and get back to making highly entertaining films that caused him to be one of Hollywood’s best actors.
So, if you are suffering from a severe case of insomnia, then I’m Still Here may help you get a long needed good nights sleep. Otherwise, do yourself a favor and anyone else who may have wanted to watch this movie with you and STAY AWAY!
I’m Still Here is available on DVD Tuesday, November 23.