Does Joaquin Phoenix Really Need Saving? Or a Shaving?

Gwyneth Paltrow and Joaquin Phoenix at Two Lovers in NYC.

There are plenty of theories about why Joaquin Phoenix was so out of it on Letterman Wednesday night, but the most plausible is that he was just acting. Sure, he may be drugged up, too, but then wouldn't his pal Casey Affleck put down the camera and send the guy to rehab? Affleck has been following Phoenix around filming a documentary (mockumentary?) about him, and the Daily News reports that following his Letterman appearance Phoenix and his crew went to a screening of his movie Two Lovers (where at the very least Gwyneth Paltrow would have attempted to save him with GOOP-isms).

At the screening, "anyone they encountered was asked sign a release form" which stated, in part: “This release is made to allow Flemmy Productions, LLC to include me in the production and/or publication of the documentary project tentatively entitled ‘Untitled Joaquin Phoenix Documentary’ (the ‘Picture’)." The same releases were also handed when Phoenix patronized The Box last week, and likely at that LA appearance in January where he fell off a stage (video!).

If it is some kind of elaborate Kaufman-esque put-on (minus the wit and charm), there had better be an amazing payoff at the end, because at this point the hoax—if it is a hoax—is shaping up like a self-righteous "comment" on how vulgar Americans love a good celebrity flame out. Which of course we do, but who are you to judge, Mr. SpaceCamp? Or as Videogum's Gabe Delahaye put it: "This seems too much like a game being played by a self-indulgent narcissist who doesn't actually understand the rules. Because, obviously: David Letterman: 1. Joaquin Phoenix: 0."

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on February 13, 2009 11:47 AM

Comments [rss]

KING

your right ipindc. hope he gets help before ge takes his life like a fool. Somebody pray for him. He was living every east village actors dream & now to be a circus clown with big shoes. wow

jpindc

Let's remember how his brother Phoenix died. Perhaps he never addressed his brother's death in a "healthy" way, is self-medicating, and now it's become apparent to everyone. Except he's still not getting (or accepting?) the right help. The point is, serious trauma cannot be shoved aside - it must be addressed by people who are trained to help. I hope he gets it.

NannyState

The whole thing should be covered up and forgotten as quickly as possible.

jaycjay

"If you notice he's not really concerned with the film he's supposed to plug, well, who cares, ask about his music which he's obviously 10x more enthused about."

Obviously? Why? Did you miss the part of the interview where Letterman did ask him about his music? Nothing about Phoenix's tone or demeanor changed, and his response was still to say as little as possible.

BrooklynBredTom

Yeah, it was unnerving. But it was also entertaining. And if Joaquin is in fact playing the whole role ala Borat, and using an act to exploit a certain people or idea (as the article suggests, celeb disasters), why is this so terrible? It's actually working if this is the goal. But something tells me it's not. In that case, who the hell cares. (Who the hell cares to begin with, but really, we're all interested). David Letterman is a host, and host's don't get impatient and make fun of guests so disdainfully. It's one thing to joke around, with Letterman, at least for me, I get an awful amount of a--hole vibes, very disdainful. Do your job, work an interview. If you notice he's not really concerned with the film he's supposed to plug, well, who cares, ask about his music which he's obviously 10x more enthused about. But to then mock him and joke of a unlikely performance, that's immature. Ha... whatever... though this lengthy comment will suggest I do care.

slappy

I liked the Letterman spot. What a relief from that chatty fake bullshit that usually transpires.

sammie2

http://loveislikeaboxofchocolates.com/

zinnian

second that. who cares?

ed_Extinct

maybe he's playing Tobey Maguire with a beard.

Paris68

My guess: he's had some nasty disagreement with the producers of the film. So he's turned his contractually obliged publicity appearances into distractions from the film.

jackdonaghy

Hmmm. That's an interesting and plausible take.

rosweed

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Who cares?

mzungu

Hey! I love Space Camp!!!

dev

I WENT to Space Camp!

Twice!

what. don't judge.

J Lo Biafra

Release form: signature required because Mr. Phoenix and Mr. Affleck are jerking off onto both you and each other.

famdoc

All in all, I thought Letterman did a pretty good job turning this situation into entertainment. His concluding remark, something like "I am sorry you couldn't be with us this evening" was right on.

Phoenix bordered on the vulgar and cruel in response to Paul Shaffer's guffaw. He deserved whatever he got from Letterman.

Alex

Letterman shoulda asked him what taking a speedball is like.

matty

I think this is the first time Jen Carlson hasn't fallen for a media hoax or publicity stunt hook, line and sinker.

Nice work! :D

snickerdoodle

Honestly, who the f--k cares?

When will society stop caring about self-absorbed Hollyweirdos who are just looking for some attention?

There are so many more important and interesting things going on the world and all people want to talk about is some stupid celebrity acting out again.

YAWN.