I guess we can probably file this one under “not a surprise”, but various comments from Casey Affleck in an interview and a series of e-mails with the NY Times seem to confirm what many have suspected, namely that Phoenix’s melt-down documentary “I’m Still Here” was an elaborate hoax.
Casey Affleck is Phoenix’s brother-in-law and followed Phoenix around for the doc, filming his descent into drug-taking, prostitutes and hip-hop recording. The NY Times quotes Affleck as follows:-
“His performance is compelling, always watchable, manages to be repulsive and charming, believable in all emotions, completely committed, incredibly brave. How difficult to resist the cheap joke, the wink, the nudge. He has the tools for this. He has the goods in spades.”
Affleck went on to say that when Phoenix appeared on The Late Show looking disheveled, mumbling about his intended hip-hop career (see below), David Letterman was not in on the joke. There seems, however, to be some evidence to contradict this, that in fact Letterman knew exactly what was going on and played along with it.
Interestingly, Affleck goes on to say that he did not expect the debate over whether or not the film was “real” to continue once it had been seen in its entirety and was surprised that many critics continued to be hostile towards the film. Perhaps he underestimated how convincing a performance Phoenix had given? Even as seasoned a critic as Roger Ebert was not entirely sure how to take the film, saying at one point in his online review:-
Here is a gifted actor who apparently by his own decision has brought desolation upon his head. He was serious when he said he would never act again. He was serious when he announced a career as a hip hop artist. He wasn’t goofing when he was on the Letterman show. He was flying into pieces.
However he then goes on to say:-
All of this is true. At least we must assume it is. If this film turns out to still be part of an elaborate hoax, I’m going to be seriously p***ed. Actually, there are subtle signs it might be. The scene in Central Park: Is it a little too perfect dramatically? The scenes of cocaine sniffing, the nude parties including Joaquin’s assistant Antony Langdon and two hookers: Were they really possible with a director, cinematographer and sound man in the room? Would Casey Affleck release this devastating film with the acquiescence of his wife?
Before then doubling back with:-
I have hope that if Phoenix ever cleans up his body and mind, he can be restored, and can be happy again. See how Robert Downey Jr. and Dennis Hopper came back from the edge of the grave. We do not desperately need another actor, but Joaquin is imprisoned within his illness, and he desperately needs to get well. If he wants a career as a singer — well, why not country music? In “Walk the Line” he proved he has a talent for it. In “I’m Still Here” all he proves is that he is hurtling toward the same pointless oblivion that killed his brother River. It is a waste of the privilege of life.
Our own review of the doc remained equivocal on the whole “fake/real” debate, all of which just might make Phoenix’s performance the most immersive and praise-worthy in recent history. Or, it might just be a gag between friends that ended up getting out of control and took on a life that neither of them anticipated. What do you think?
