The film world has confirmed recently that the much-discussed Joaquin Phoenix breakdown is indeed the subject of I’m Still Here: The Lost Year of Joaquin Phoenix, a mockumentary being helmed by none other than Casey Affleck (Cue the sighs of relief). With the cat out of the bag, especially after the truth behind this whole “rap career” ordeal has been in question for just over a year, it’s high time that answers be provided.
And provided they were. It’s been reported that director (and Phoenix’s brother in law) Affleck screened the film in hopes of attracting buyers. The film, chronicling the span of Phoenix’s “retirement” from acting and subsequent foray in to rap, supposedly “provides no set up for the odd behaviors of its lead last year, instead blurring the lines between documentary and mockumentary.” Thus, it seems the confusion still runs rampant, which will hopefully increase interest in the film.
If the intrigue isn’t sparked by the confusing tone, then perhaps appearances by the likes of Sean “Diddy” Combs and Ben Stiller will do the trick. The mock-doc is said to feature scenes in which Phoenix’s attempts at rap not only lead him to unsuccessfully recruit Combs as producer for his first rap album, but also lead him to turn down a role opposite Ben Stiller in Noah Baumbach’s disputed gem, Greenberg.
To top that all off, highlights of the film seem nothing short of debauchery – namely oral sex, deification, massive amounts of full-frontal male nudity, and cocaine use that would shame even Tony Montana. All things considered, this mock-doc certainly seems like it could stir up enough buzz and commotion (if it hasn’t already) to pick up a buyer right quick, and I for one am eagerly waiting for that to happen.
So what of it? Are you thankful that this whole stint was simply method acting? Do the promises of coke, blow jobs and male anatomy tickle your anticipation, or just leave you befuddled and put off?