Two Lovers Director James Gray Says Goodbye to Joaquin Phoenix

by James Gray | Published February 11, 2009

(Page 2)

We went six years before working together again, though we did see each other frequently and became good friends. We recognized that we had the same tastes; every now and then, we would call each other, usually late at night—Did you see that movie? What a piece of shit!—and the call would last for hours.

I learned, too, that Joaquin had admirers from all walks of life. When Johnny Cash told me he could quote “that Phoenix fella” at will, I decided to put the two of them together for dinner. What followed was, of course, a meal for the ages. I could see his craft reaching a new level in Walk the Line, and I’ll confess I became a little jealous of Jim Mangold, the film’s director. I knew the next picture I made would have to have that Phoenix fella in it.

Our second picture together, We Own the Night, was different. I can’t speak for Joaquin (though lord knows I’ve tried and failed many times), but for me it was a more complex and contentious and rewarding experience. He’d matured and he’d begun to grow out of me. It was as though he understood his weapon and was figuring out how best to use it. He thought long and hard about every scene, turning it over in his mind, and he studied his script until it became hopelessly tattered and all but unreadable.

We worked night and day, rehearsing and discussing. Sometimes it would lead to horrible arguments—often my fault! I’m no diplomat—but in my (weak) defense, there were times I couldn’t distinguish with whom I was speaking. Was it character or actor?

This time he went in—and went in deep. “You want me to see my father dead in the street? Well, then, I might vomit for real.” (He did.) “You want me to be terrified of that man? Go ahead, have him belt me right in the face.” (He got walloped, but good.) “You want me to swallow that charcoal? Force it down my throat, man.” (He inhaled with relish.)

The crew was in awe of his level of commitment and it raised everyone’s game. You knew if you didn’t give it everything you had, you were letting him down somehow. There’s no amount of money you can pay an actor for that. It makes the process of motivating cast and crew a cakewalk. Thank you for that, Joaquin.

I wrote Two Lovers knowing that if Joaquin didn’t want to do it it would never get made. The role was created for him: A tormented soul, struggling, lost, lonely and, finally, beautiful and heartbreaking. Who else could do it? Who else would?

Thankfully for me, he said yes, and the shoot was the happiest of the three. We developed a shorthand, but more often than not he was on his own—and he was liberated. The result is work that seems to my eyes eerily redolent of Montgomery Clift at his best.

Forgive me, but I have trouble accepting this retirement thing. I need Joaquin’s moments of authentic heartbreak, of unfiltered emotion, of poetic humanity. Joaquin shares my passion for exploring the melancholy movements of life, the sad awareness of time’s ruthless march; and he far surpasses me in emotional intellect, always ready to recognize genuine tenderness and reject all artifice. He has embraced an elegant, higher truth.

At the end of Two Lovers, Joaquin seemed simultaneously exhausted and bored. He’d left most of us in the dust long ago.

Perhaps that’s why he’s done with acting: When you can do it all yourself and your genius has outgrown the mediocrity of others, why bother?

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COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT

Comment by SDVisitor on 3/04/09 at 10:28 pm

Yes, we too hope that he changes his mind. But, you know, creative people need meaningful breaks more often than us to enrich their lives with poignant emotions so that they can rejuvenate and come back with a bang. It has happened with writers, performers, actors, and film-makers. I am sure this is going to happen with Joaquin too.

Comment by denver car accident lawyers on 6/02/09 at 9:39 am

The key trait of an actor that distinguishes him from others is his ability to portray real life in reel life! Congratulations to Joaquin Phoenix that he was able to do that and hope he can pass on this talent to other budding or established Hollywood celebrities.

Comment by doris on 7/11/09 at 9:29 am

Thanks for sharing your indepth opinion on JP.  We can only phantom the why’s.  I know that whatever he feels necessary he will do, this is liking climbing sometimes you reach the apex of your expectations.  He obviously has completed his journey and now must move on, or what?  I don’t want to dismiss for him his first love, and wish for him the best.

I will truly will miss his sexuality in the all the roles he performed in, his beauty, his depth.  Should any of the negative comments on his physical status be true, I hope and pray those in power and experience in this area can intervene and further enlighten his cloud.  L, P and H a true admirer of this fantastic guy.

Comment by Surf Clothing on 6/18/10 at 9:09 am

Its sad to know that he decided to retire. But I do hope he’d change his mind. Maybe he only needs a vacation from all the stress.

Comment by Limited gründen on 6/24/10 at 8:46 am

I think, for me, retiring doesn’t always mean goodbyes. He has been a good friend, companion and co-worker, he will always be..

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Comment by Doris Ramey on 7/06/10 at 6:24 pm

I love this guy, I know a lot of people feel as I do.  Tu eres mi mi amigo.!!!!

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