Is being serious “BIZZARRE”? Mass media says YES!
Friday, February 13th, 2009Web headlines of “Joaquin Phoenix’s BIZZARRE Behavior on David Letterman” were all over my laptop screen yesterday, so of course I tracked it down on YouTube. I recently read a piece by director James Gray (who had worked with Phoenix in The Yards, We Own The Night, and the new Two Lovers) that was an insightful love letter to an actor he clearly admired. Gray wrote that he understood Phoenix’s recent announcement to leave acting. I was left with the impression that Joaquin is a serious, devoted person so when I watched his appearance on Letterman, I was quite surprised. Granted, he was certainly aloof (and wearing sunglasses), but the only thing I found truly bizzarre about his behavior was his lake of a fake, shiny, Hollywood veneer. He clearly didn’t want to banter or pander to Letterman or his audience, but as ‘Dave’ began the “interview” by taking potshots at his beard and appearance, I wasn’t surprised that Phoenix was never engaged. He seemed to find Letterman’s schtick, the audience’s giggles, and Paul Schaffer to be rather banal. Personally, I agree, and it was fun to watch someone not buy into the TV bullsh*t. Why a publicist would have let him walk onto that stage, though, I will never understand…
Joaquim Phoenix on The Late Show – Feb.12, 2009: