I’m Still Here Review

• 17th Jan 2011

Perhaps one of the most controversial films of 2010 is the supposed fake documentary by Casey Affleck. I’m Still Here traces the alleged breakdown of his brother-in-law, Joaquin Phoenix who, grown tired of a celebrity career and acting puts on weight, grows a straggly beard and attempts to become a rapper and a bad one at that. He moves with his decision to seek out the support of Sean Coombs (P. Diddy) whom he follows round the country like some star struck teenager, appears to break down, culminating in a humiliating appearance on the David Letterman Show, as well as a dreadful appearance at a gig in Miami where he is met by jeers from the audience. Whatever the truth of the film the result is a self indulgent, pretentious and tiresome piece of work that leaves a poor taste in the mouth. Praised in some quarters, after about ten minutes I for one just wanted to turn off. There are few laughs along the way in this one-joke mockumentary, but mostly just a series of incidents that leave you feeling ready for a shower after.

It lacks the depth of intelligence and instead gives a sick insight into stardom gone off the rails. That, of course, is assuming this is a mockumentary and not some excuse for bad behaviour gone wrong. It may indeed be a half truth. In the credits the script is attributed to Affleck and Phoenix. Whichever it is Phoenix comes across as a dysfunctional and spoilt individual wanting to shake things up. He begins by telling everyone he comes across that he wants to quit acting and become a rapper, before taking on the appearance of a near dead Jim Morrison come Charles Manson who descends into frat boy antics, bringing prostitutes to his apartment and verbally abusing those around him, especially his long suffering friend Antony who tells us he used to be in a band. His life descends into eternal chaos as his antics and behaviour lead to confusion amongst others in the biz, including Ben Stiller and ridicule on entertainment TV shows. Even if this acting, again Phoenix comes across as an egotistical spoilt brat and, it has to be said, a thoroughly dislikeable individual… But, he also appears very vulnerable and lost.

In some circles critics have praised this two years of sustained filming as Phoenix’s greatest performance to date. If so, the gamble is great and the end result could still implode his career in any case, whether he wants it to or not. There are, however, better films about the corruption of being in the limelight, be it Robert De Niro’s Jake La Motta in Raging Bull or Danny Huston’s Hollywood talent agent in Ivan’s xtc.

Chris Hick