Joaquin Phoenix: I wonder what's going on.

[Mike 03]

I don't think I've ever made a post on DU about celebrity gossip or that kind of thing, but seeing Joaquin Phoenix's bizarre journey of the past couple of months (which broke as news in a town close to mine) and is now out of the bag with his appearance on Letterman last night has fascinated me.

At first it was amusing, but having gone through some tough times myself (as we all have), I'm not so much laughing at the guy but wondering what is going on. I wonder if something really bad happened in his life, or whether it is drugs or alcohol, or what? Some people have suggested this is just a big joke on his part, but after seeing him and watching his appearances on media I don't think this is an act.

But I'd love to know what others are thinking. It's very hard to watch his rap performances with a straight face, or figure out if he thinks he's talented at this music stuff. And it's excruciating to watch him being interviewed by Letterman or journalists in general.

He's done some great work, and he comes from a complicated family background. I hope he figures things out and gets through this difficult period.

[Shell Beau]

1. He is a fave of mine. I hope he gets it together.

He belongs in movies not on some rap album.

[crimsonblue]

2. He's in character...

He's making a mockumentary about a white rapper, and Casey Affleck is directing it. Think: "Borat" or "This is Spinal Tap".

[Ava]

3. exactly

i don't for one second think his "rap career" is real

[Shell Beau]

4. I don't buy it.

He has had some really odd behavior in the past. Remember the comment about the frog eating his brain?

[MajorChode]

5. Is there really any doubt that he is strung out?

The guy has been in rehab before and when he got out he crashed up his car because of "brake failure" (yeah, right). It's not as if any of this comes as a big surprise.

His brother died of a drug overdose. A similar fate awaits him if he doesn't get his shit together.

[EastTennesseeDem]

7. I think he gave it away in the end

When he couldn't resist cracking a smile when Letterman said "Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here" and, after the interview, got up and audibly and completely sanely said "Good job" to Dave.

[Duer 157099]

11. Exactly. And he lifted up his sunglasses to show Dave his eyes, too

He must have thought it had gone to commercial already, but it seemed to me he wanted Dave to know he was sober.

[EastTennesseeDem]

13. I think Dave knew too

When he said "Good job" I think he meant "Thanks for playing along."

[Shell Beau]

15. His rep has said this isn't a hoax, and there is no mockumentary with

Casey Affleck.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

18. Don't you think that this is just more of the cover? Possible,

:shrug:

[Shell Beau]

19. Could be. But I still don't buy it. I think

he is just quirky anyway and is going through some stuff right now. I have seen him in past interviews, and he has always been weird like that. I mean, the guy did watch his own brother die.

I hope he is in character. He is one of my favorite actors.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

20. I think he is quirky and weird and going through some stuff and

I remember he was there a the death of his brother, River. He is one of my favorite actors and I am hoping this is a character he has created for whatever reason. I really think what happened on Letterman was a joke. I could be wrong. I would like to see him stay in acting and I am not buying this "rapper for real scenario". Time will tell.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

17. I caught that, too. I think he was "in Character" and I think Dave

was in on it. ;)

[no name no slogan]

8. His parents were hippies and were in a cult for awhile too

(remember, his first name was originally "Leaf")

Weirdness would just be par for the course for him.

[Shell Beau]

16. I do think he is quirky by nature.

[Mollis]

6. I heard he was doing it on purpose... nt

[elshiva]

9. I don't know what is going on. I think he is a good actor.

If it is drugs, I hope he gets some medical help.

[PassingFair]

10. He sounded WAY too lucid ...

he's putting people on.

Now Farrah, on the other hand was
FUCKED UP!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

12. I don't know. The guy is an incredible, incredible actor.

Gladiator, Walk the Line. He even made Signs halfway bearable.

[Drunken Girlfriend]

14. Joaquin Phoenix

Honestly,I think that Joaquin Phoenix was stoned on his Letterman appearance.

As for him claiming he wants to be a rapper,and no longer wants to act,
I believe it.

On the Letterman show,it was obvious that he was being forced to be there to promote his new movie,and he really looked uncomfortable.

Do I think he's a talented rapper? Not really.

But I don't think this is all a joke,like most ppl out there.

I think Joaquin Phoenix has had a long history of dysfunction,
along with the rest of his family,and hitting an all time peak with his popularity has probably made him crack a little,and re-evaluate what
he feels is important to him.

I certainly don't think he is destined to follow in River's footsteps(R.I.P),but with Hollywood celebs,anything is possible.

I mean,most ppl seemed really shocked when Heath Ledger died,
and had no clue he was a drug addict.

But considering the fact that Heath Ledger was rumored to be dating
Mary Kate Olsen,then that should have been a red flag,as she has struggled with drug abuse for yrs(mostly cocaine).

Anyways,it will be interesting to see what Joaquin does next,and I am certainly rooting for him.

[bif]

21. High as the Alps

Some kind of opiate, in my opinion.

[Threedifferentones]

22. Who cares

This guy co-starred in Signs with Mel Gibson. Enough said.

[ReliantJ]

23. I really hope Joaquin

gets his life back together.