“I’m Still Here” is a hoax. The “documentary” about the downward spiral of actor Phoenix was an elaborate operation. Film critics just hated the film last week when it came out, although Casey Affleck, director of “I’m Still Here,” talked. The movie had everything in it staged. Even the appearance on David Letterman and the rap performances Phoenix gave on drugs were staged. Phoenix is bound to do well in her career now. Affleck states “I’m Still Here” was an outstanding performance. Phoenix and Affleck might have very ruined careers now.
Calling it the Phoenix mockumentary
The New York Times showed an interview with Casey Affleck and Michael Cieply Thursday talking about the contrived “I’m Still Here”. The Movie was meant to portray what happened to Joaquin Phoenix after his Academy Award from his acting in “I Walk the Line” as Johnny Cash. Supposedly, he had a breakdown of his spirit, body and mind. Phoenix committed himself to the performance for two years. His beard was the first thing to change. He grew the beard. Next was his body. He gained some weight. In 2009 he appeared in character on David Letterman so convincingly the TV host was entirely fooled. Affleck told the Times that he had to speak out after the extreme negative response to the film by critics and also the public. On September 22, Phoenix will really be appearing on the Letterman show.
Media works to make it more known
An option motive may be in Affleck’s mind as he admit that Phoenix was in “I’m Still Here” as a mockumentary. He may just be trying to get more viewers. Washington Post bloggers Jen Chaney and Liz Kelly said Phoenix and Affleck are letting everyone in on the joke now hoping for making individuals more likely to view the film and understand correctly what they were trying to accomplish. They also said that whether or not the movie succeeds, Phoenix and Affleck proved society will believe that even a respected Academy Award nominee can self-destruct painfully in public.
Deception hurting Hollywood
The Filmmaker did not get that good of a response from everyone. The objective isn’t essential too many. Patrick Goldstein is a Los Angeles Times Hollywood reported. He suggests a huge backfire will soon come into play for Affleck and Phoenix because of “I’m Still Here”. Goldstein shows the opinion of show-biz insiders. They think the film is “self-important, exercise in foolishness, concocted by two knuckleheads who seemed peeved either because they didn’t have successful A-list careers or because they thought the industry was too dull and mindless to allow them to take the kind of bold risks that real artists take.” Goldstein had a source say in reaction to Phoenix’s appearance on Letterman here soon, “Boy, if Letterman wasn’t in on the joke, he is really going to take that poor guy to the cleaners.”
Additional reading
New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/09/17/movies/17affleck.html?_r=2
Washington Post
voices.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2010/09/joaquin_phoenix_yes_it_was_a_h.html
Los Angeles times
latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2010/09/will-casey-affleck-end-up-in-movie-jail-after-admitting-im-not-here-was-a-hoax.html
