JOAQUIN PHOENIX - WHAT'S GOING ON WITH JOAQUIN PHOENIX?

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH JOAQUIN PHOENIX?

Several entertainment websites were once again puzzling over whether Joaquin Phoenix is serious or spoofing about launching a career as a rap artist after Phoenix appeared on the David Letterman show Wednesday night. In the Chicago Sun-Times , writer Craig Newman observed, "The guy is way too talented to be behaving like this when he's supposed to be promoting his latest movie Two Lovers . Or else the joke's on us -- and he's just goofing for Casey Affleck's documentary on him and his supposed foray into the music biz." In the Los Angeles Times , John Horn wrote, "Phoenix's retirement from acting -- which he insists is neither a joke nor a publicity stunt -- has transformed the film's Friday launch into a circus nearly as surreal as anything staged by Fellini or Cirque du Soleil." In the Chicago Tribune , columnist Maureen Ryan, asked, "Wow, what on Earth is going on with Joaquin Phoenix?" She then noted that on the Letterman show, he "spoke in monosyllables, chewed gum, wore shades and mumbled about his new rap career." Letterman himself appeared mystified, concluding the interview by remarking, "Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight."

12/02/2009