Should Joaquin Phoenix make a comeback? – POLL
February 16, 2009 by Jane Boursaw
There’s a story on The Hollywood Reporter’s Risky Biz Blog, asking whether we need Joaquin Phoenix to rise again. It got me thinking about what the film industry would be missing if he never acted again. In my view, a lot.
As you probably know by now, Phoenix has been having a bit of a meltdown in the public eye. He showed up on David Letterman doing his best Unibomber impression, after deciding to switch from acting to rapping. Yes, he decided to be a rapper. How respectable.
But I dunno. Maybe he’s just feeling his oats. Maybe it’s all part of a big publicity stunt. Casey Affleck is filming a documentary on Phoenix’s rapper adventures, due out next year.
But when I think about all the great performances Phoenix gave as an actor, I really hope he returns to the profession. His stunning performance as Johnny Cash in 2005’s “Walk the Line” gave me goosebumps. His understated role as Bobby Green in 2007’s “We Own the Night,” alongside Mark Wahlberg and Robert Duvall, was a thing of beauty. He’s next up in “Two Lovers,” due out this month. It was nominated for a Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival.
I know the acting business isn’t an easy one, and many people end up in rehab over the stress of it all. But some get through it ok and make cinematic history in the process. I hope Phoenix returns to acting, to give us more memorable performances.
So what do you think? Should Joaquin Phoenix return to the profession that made him a household name? Or don’t you really care?
Image: We Own the Night, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 2008
Is it only me that notices Phoenix has a hair lip? I have never understood how anyone could find this guy the least bit attractive. After that idiotic stunt on Letterman I don’t think there is any way people can look at him as anything but a rude freak.
River Phoenix was indeed a different story. He was downright gorgeous.
He looks to me as if he was shot at and missed, then SHIT at and hit.
Leave the guy alone. I think he just wants to do what he wants. You go PHX!! Everyone else can piss-off
It is like he is trying to do a Andy Kauffman with the alter ego thing. But those in the know remember Andy was truly mentally ill and the poor guy who had once been so talented remained unbalanced until he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and died soon after. I agree Rich. You go PHX. Go to the nearest mental hospital!
I saw him on Letterman.If this is an example of his work let him go home….and STAY there.
That harelip is what makes Joaquin Phoenix sexy as hell!!!
He’s gorgeous because he has a niche feature and more talent in his pinky finger than most “movie star” actors. The haters are just jealous.
He’s way hotter than River Phoenix was.
I hope he’s not serious about quitting acting. He was awesome in Walk The Line and I thought he deserved the Oscar.
He’s an actor. He’s acting! A bit like Borat taking the piss out of himself and others with him.
This guy needs to get his act together soon or he’ll end up like his brother!
Gee it must be nice to be perfect huh? You all must have the perfect lil lives (Other than D. West & Rich) who I’m on your side – leave the guy alone. He’s like so many of us just going thru a shitty time right now, he’ll hopefully figure things out.
Why not give drug tests to guests on TV talk shows? Oh wait. It’s usually the hosts who act the strangest!
Joaquin needs to go to rehab. This fat Jim Morrison routine has already been done…by Jim Morrison and then Val Kilmer and it does not have a happy ending. If he wants to act, I would love to see him act again, if he does not then he should do what he wants, but so far he is not too good at the rapping. He is a train wreck just waiting to happen.
Watched Joaquin grow up in the movie industry in the shadow of his Brother………..River could have never been the actor that Joaquin is. He is a really good actor and we have so few of those. He is so good-looking and sexy……….I don’t know what’s going on with him, but I hope he is alright. He needs to be shown just how handsome and good he is.
Joaquin Phoenix in one of the best actors in the world. Look at the long (1 take?) and unfortunately cut scene about killing his father in Gladiator. Friggin unbelievable. And don’t forget the classic line “Am I not merciful?” Chills man! He will be back on top when he wants to and i hope it is soon.
I saw the show. I was bewildered, as was my husband. I feel it was a stunt, why, I am not sure. If it was not, I would hope help is sought. Phoenix is an excellent actor. In my 66 year old eyes, he is gorgeous. Why should he be compared with his brother. He is a different person. Joaquin eyes are DEEP as a river, and say so much. His acting is supurb. Leave his hairlip alone. IT DOES NOT DETRACT FROM HIM OR HIS ACTING.
Addendum:
I actually was so caught up with this brilliant actor, that I never even noticed a hairlip. Why do people always look for something negative. I truly trust that he will reconsider at some point in time and grace us with his brillance.
The whole thing is SO fake. Just watch the interview again. Both are clearly acting.
Why are people so judgemental?? Making fun of someone for having a cleft lip (it’s not called a hairlip anymore idiots!) is rude and immature. I’m sure that you are not perfect! Why should that even matter? You’re superficial standards are sickening. The guy is going trough a rough time in his life; so what? I don’t see anyone making fun of Harrison Ford for the scar across his chin? If you don’t like Joaquin, then don’t watch him movies or read articles pertaining to him. The world is negative enough and you don’t need to add to it!!! Joaquin is a brilliant actor and it would be wonderful if he returned to acting…and if not then we have the amazing roles he portrayed to look back on.
To Cali4ever. I was first to post on the hair lip and just thought it odd that with the money he has he has not had reconstructive surgery on it. They now can make it totally disappear. Oh and I believe the PC name for the deformity is cleft palate not cleft lip.
Superficial standards go with the game of being a star. Look at the huge fuss about female stars weight gain or loss. The popular mug shots of drunk or drugged celebrities. So if you truly believe looks don’t matter lets put Paul Ruben AKA Pee Wee Herman in a love scene with the stunning Angela Jolie. You’d find that titillating?
Good Grief!
Let phoenix be I think he is a great talent, he would be a great method actor.Anyone remember stacy keach he is a great actor. If you think you can do a better job proove It, BY KIDS.
cali4ever needs to lighten up. It is odd no one notices his hairlip. No one was even “making fun” of Phoenix, just pointing it out. There is a difference. And yes, given the impossible standards that female actresses are held to-compare his elephant in the room hair lip- to all the talk about Tina Fey’s scar, big deal.
I do wonder what’s going on with him. I just saw Clay Pigeons and he looked like a completely different person-like he’s aged 30 years in just a decade.
Joaquin phoenix is a UNIQUE not only actor but also a person,every inch of his body makes him special,and if we look through his past,childhood or caracters that he played in,we find that the conflict that he has which is his personality is a great and makes him flexibal,he could be the killer or the deep lover,I would say that joaquin is another image of johnny cash,he loves to go an miss around,do what he wants because he realises what he loves and the way he want to live his life,It is true that not all peopl agree with his new hip hop thing,but I think that they should atleast give him some respect considering his wonderful performances in all movies he played in,and if he alwayz play in a great movies that’s because he has a special way to touch things around him and feel them deeep,a little respect would help him,besides e has an awesome voice and “walk the line” strongly prouves it.I love you Joaquin you’re the best and keep doing what you love and don’t give the damn shit to the other pl,it’s just jolusy.