Most of us still picture the conniving Emperor Commodus when we hear the name Joaquin Phoenix, if we picture him at all. The artist formerly known as Leaf Phoenix has quietly become one of the masters of his craft since his role in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” (2000).
He’s been praised for his lifelike performances in multiple genres from “Walk the Line” (2004) to “Her” (2013).
His performance this year in director Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Inherent Vice” is leaving a lot of critics starstruck, and it isn’t difficult to see why. His turn as private detective Doc Sportello is mesmerizing in its realism, at times both hilarious and heartbreaking. The actor personifies the hippie movement in California with equal parts vigor and restraint. Not so much the confused beach bum as a vibrant, dynamic piece of living history.
Accompanied by the quirky dialogue and a stellar supporting cast, Phoenix was remarkable at every turn, coexisting and interacting with the story almost as a part of the setting. Phoenix has made a name for himself on these sort of characters—a leading man without leading man characteristics.
The beginning of his career was littered with these types of roles, from a troubled adolescent in Gus Van Sant’s “To Die For” (1995), to a small-town vagabond alongside Nicole Kidman in Oliver Stone’s “U-Turn” (1997).
His performance in “Gladiator” earned him his first Academy Award nomination and winning a Golden Globe. Subsequent turns in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs” (2002), as well as the director’s follow-up in “The Village” (2004) and in “Hotel Rwanda” (2004) earned Phoenix moderate success on the mainstream level.
“Walk the Line” was his first real breakthrough. As the film was a success on both critical and commercial levels and he and leading lady Reese Witherspoon were Oscar-nominated, with Witherspoon winning. Phoenix didn’t exit awards season empty-handed, however, as his work on the film’s accompanying soundtrack earned the actor a Grammy.
Aside from self-produced mockumentary “I’m Still Here” in 2010, Phoenix remained very much off the radar until his first time operating under Paul Thomas Anderson’s care, with “The Master” (2012). His role as an alcoholic follower of a travellinc cult alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman earned him his second Academy Award.
His resurgence continued in 2013 with Spike Jonze’s highly acclaimed semi-sci-fi flick “Her,” as Phoenix was really asked to carry the highly stylized and personal film. His casting in “Inherent Vice” turned out to be a perfect choice.
Throughout the years, Phoenix has been at times villainous, quirky and powerfully moving. He’s made a point not to be typecast and it’s worked wonders. There’s no telling what he’ll be innext, but he’s been confirmed for the next Woody Allen project alongside up-and-comer Emma Stone and this writer can’t wait.
