I’m Still Here fronts as a documentary, covering the infamous decision of Oscar-nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix’s retirement from acting and attempt to become a rapper. In reality, it is a fascinating “mockumentary” that is filled with Oscar-worthy acting. Joaquin Phoenix took his role to new heights, staying in character throughout the entire course of filming (from August 2008 to June 2009) while out in public. The end result is an effective character study unlike anything ever shot before.
The character of Joaquin Phoenix (or J.P.) – played by Joaquin Phoenix – is a whiny, ornery man that is obviously struggling with personal demons while taking it out on others. He does drugs, hires prostitutes, and constantly belittles the “friends” around him. Frankly, he is an asshole. In one brazen move, he turns his life upside down and decides he wants to pursue a career in hip-hop and dump the goddess that made him rich and famous (acting). I’m Still Here is the story of what happens next.
The backstory for this movie is one that Joaquin – unknowingly or not – has been building for the public since his debut, and the movie relies, perhaps too much, on the audience already knowing who Joaquin Phoenix is.
I’m Still Here moves from laugh-out-loud funny, to sad, awkward, and heartbreaking throughout its 108 minute running time. The audience can never be sure if the person opposite Phoenix is in on the joke, or thinks Phoenix has lost his mind, and this is one reason why the film works. Phoenix’s commitment to this role, and he and Casey Affleck’s desire to make this film a success is the other reason. Because this mockumentary relies on the viewer’s knowledge of Joaquin Phoenix, those that respected his acting talent before August of 2008 will appreciate this film the most. Those who don’t know Joaquin Phoenix will have a much harder time getting in to the movie at all.
Rap legend Sean “P. Diddy” Combs plays a major role (as himself) in the film, and whether or not he is acting is up for the viewer to decide. Comedic actor Ben Stiller has a cameo that is one of the more memorable scenes in the movie. Mos Def, one of my favorite non-actors-who-can-act, also makes a very brief appearance. The movie rests on the shoulders of one man – Phoenix – and he is stellar. His commitment to this film is unprecedented, and the end result is his best performance to-date. Viewers will have a hard time catching any acting in the movie, and this is also a credit to the wonderful co-stars in the film. Larry McHale and Antony Langdon devoted as much time as Joaquin to their parts, and though Phoenix will overshadow them due to his celebrity status, their excellent work should not be understated.
The work done by director Casey Affleck and lead Joaquin Phoenix might not be appreciated by everyone, but shooting 11 months of footage, putting a real reputation on the line, and jeopardizing a career all for the sake of one 108 minute film is not only courageous, but a great success. I’m Still Here is a character study disguised as a mockumentary, disguised as a documentary that covers the heartbreaking demise of one of the most talented actors of this generation. It leaves the audience thankful that it is all, in fact, just a movie.
I’m Still Here is given a 1080p, 16×9 widescreen presentation with a 1.78:1 contrast ratio. This Blu-ray looks good. There are some shots taken from random television interviews that Joaquin did before and during the yearlong shooting process; these are of lesser quality, but it comes off as a director’s choice, and not poor filmmaking. The cinematography is basic, seeing as it is a mockumentary, but what is here looks great on a high-definition television. The demands on the audio of I’m Still Here are mostly to carry dialogue, and the one sound option available – English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio – works fine. There are also English SDH and Spanish subtitle options available.
Audio Commentary with Casey Affleck, Joaquin Phoenix, Nicole Acacio, Larry McHale, Antony Langdon, Johnny Moreno, Eddie Rouse Jr., Matt Maher, Elliot Gaynon, and Susan Patricola: This commentary track has ten different personalities, all of whom were involved in the film in one way or another. When the actors are talking with each other it becomes clear that this is a group of friends that decided to take on this insane journey of filming a unique mockumentary. This is a great audio commentary track that I was happy to finish.
Audio Commentary with Casey Affleck: This is more standard affair for commentary special features. Instead of the whole gang, it is simply director Casey Affleck talking about more specifics on how the film was shot. Unsurprisingly, there are more gaps in the audio track on this one than the last. Affleck has some interesting information to add to the film, and fans of the film will want to sit through this.
Deleted Scenes (1:02:42): Contains 8 deleted scenes. The film quality varies as much as the value of these scenes. The scenes are hit or miss, with some being genuinely entertaining, while others were just boring. These are also available with audio commentary by Casey Affleck.
Alternate Ending Outtakes Commentary with Casey Affleck (6:47): Affleck talking over an alternate final scene in the film. This ending, while not drastically different in terms of filming, tells a darker story. It ends with an outtake from the cast. The ending outtake is the best part of this long, drawn-out feature.
Audio Conversation with Jerry Penacoli (“EXTRA”), Casey Affleck, and Joaquin Phoenix (10:32): There is no video for this and is more like a radio interview. This is after the movie has been filmed, and Affleck and Phoenix are getting Penacoli’s reaction to what they did. Penacoli, who works for “Extra”, is the man who Joaquin Phoenix first broke the news to that he was retiring from acting.
Audio Conversation with Christine Spines (Journalism Professor), Casey Affleck, and Joaquin Phoenix (27:20): There is no video for this special either. This is an audio interview with movie critic Christine Spines. Spines has a soft, uninterested voice, and this interview starts to drag early on. It is obvious that Jerry Penacoli uses his voice for a living while Christine Spines uses her keyboard/pen.
Jerry Penacoli (“EXTRA”) Interview with Joaquin Phoenix (6:11): Another interview with Penacoli done after the filming. This gives a glimpse of who Joaquin Phoenix really is (nothing like the character he played in the film). It is refreshing and relieving to see this side of Joaquin. If the viewer were to only watch one special feature on this Blu-ray, it should be this one.
I’m Still Here is effective because of how the public perceived Joaquin Phoenix prior to August of 2008. It shows what can happen when friends commit to an absurd idea, and use their connections and talents to the fullest: a unique, intriguing film. It never tries to be perfect in any way because that would be impossible in a film such as this, where the script is mostly improvised and the world doesn’t know a movie is being made. I’m Still Here is a bold film that is running on all cylinders. The Blu-ray looks great, and has over two-hours of bonus material, making this a highly recommended release. Fans of Joaquin Phoenix, and those looking for a unique type of character study will find a lot to enjoy about I’m Still Here.
Magnolia Pictures presents I’m Still Here. Directed by: Casey Affleck. Starring: Joaquin Phoenix. Written by: Casey Affleck & Joaquin Phoenix. Running time: 108 minutes. Rating: R. Released on Blu-ray & DVD: November 23, 2010.
