I'm Still Here

I'm Still Here is a silly and finally tedious document of what appears to be Academy Award-nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix's orchestrated mental breakdown. Presented as a documentary, the movie shows Phoenix's "retirement" from acting and his abortive attempt to become a rapper. Much of the tension in the film should come from our uncertainty as to whether or not what we are watching is real. Phoenix portrays himself an obnoxious whirlwind of self-destruction, alternately cackling and whining, smoking pot, snorting coke, hiring prostitutes, and abusing and humiliating his sycophantic, enabling assistants. "Joaquin Phoenix" is not a pleasant character to spend time with, and even before the closing credits (which appear to indicate that the movie is fictional), Phoenix's over-the-top performance and behavior strain credulity. It may be the least convincing performance of his career. Ben Stiller and Sean "Diddy" Combs provide some relief from the trumped-up psychodrama in their brief, amusing appearances. Casey Affleck makes his directorial debut, with his brother-in-law and friend Phoenix as his subject, and it's a shame to see two such talented performers expending so much time and energy on this. The movie ends up making a salient point regarding fame, which apparently allows you to indulge your most pointless and sophomoric fantasies, and charge the suckers money to see the result.