Jennifer Tan

So much to unpack in this amazing performance. Joaquin Phoenix...the sadness in his eyes while he laughs hysterically, how hard he tries to be normal, his transformation... level 10 acting. It feels guilty to empathize with his character, as such tragedies from fury exist in real life; however, this movie almost forced the lens where I couldn’t avoid thinking of the loneliness, bullying, sense of failure, past trauma, and/or mental illness such people suffer for years to become who they are. Every human wants to be seen, loved, and heard. I think this was a profound story about society’s treatment of those forgotten children and adults who need those things the most. Also noteworthy, the music / score throughout ... example of the music when he dances authentic with emotion in the public restroom... so much despair felt there, yet so compelling and beautiful against this perfectly paired music to debut the beginning of his metamorphosis.