Could a fake Joaquin Phoenix be any weirder than the real one?

People have already been wondering if "I'm Still Here," Casey Affleck's new movie about Joaquin Phoenix's outlandish attempt to become a rap musician, is a real documentary or a "Borat"-style prank. The film, which opens Friday in 20 theaters across the country, has been much buzzed about because it depicts a bloated Phoenix snorting cocaine with prostitutes, fighting with his assistants and generally acting like a walking celebrity train wreck. But it's unclear how much of the film is staged, because according to people who have seen the picture, Phoenix shares a screenwriting credit on the project, while Affleck's dad, Tim, plays a person identified as Phoenix's father in a scene at the film's conclusion.

What could be weirder than Phoenix's oddball antics? According to a news release that I got Thursday, the actor has his own celebrity impersonator who has been making red-carpet appearances at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the film has its official North American premiere Friday night. The release claims that "fans are being tricked and disillusioned by the fraud who arrives by limousine and is accompanied by a massive entourage of security and scantily clad female groupies." Even better, the impostor has a great opening line, saying, "It is the other Joaquin Phoenix who is the fake!"

It sounds almost too good to be true. And I suspect it is. According to the Wrap's Steve Pond, who just put up a post about the whole wacky affair, when the release was issued Friday morning, there -- ahem -- hadn't actually been any red-carpet events; the festival's first gala screening doesn't take place until Thursday night. When Pond spoke to the head of the PR firm that sent out the release (who goes by the delightful name of Diamond Darryl K.), he couldn't supply details of any red-carpet escapades.

In other words, what we could have here is a hoax on top of a hoax. It's still unclear whether the Phoenix impersonator is a prankster trying to surf the media waves rippling out from "I'm Still Here" or perhaps someone affiliated with the movie, hoping to drum up even more media play. Perhaps he's a rapper trying to launch an acting career by doing a clever Phoenix impression. Or maybe the impersonator is Phoenix himself, doing an Andy Kaufman/Tony Clifton alter-ego put-on. Imagine the possibilities.

All we know for sure is that anything involving Joaquin Phoenix in the coming days is going to have the feel of a real three-ring fun-house media circus. 

Photo: Joaquin Phoenix in a scene from the film "I'm Still Here." Credit: Magnolia Pictures

Comments

[Clare]

Fake or real, he's just not very interesting.

[george]

I really can't imagine anyone being interested in this guy. If it's the real deal, then he has some serious issues and should be pitied. If it's a put on, then it's too subtle to really be amusing and he's not nearly famous enough to be worth this much attention. I remember the name, and I know he did the Johnny Cash biopic, but I don't recall ever thinking I just had to see some movie because he was in it.

[JTRose]

Obviously a hoax.

Not in the same league as Borat or Andy Kaufman.

[DONALD McCREA]

an artist deserves to be known for their best work....and, just for the record, Joaquin was excellent in To Die For, Walk the Line, and Two Lovers.....

[eequanimity]

Joaquin is an amazing actor, probably one of the best of our generation.. watch Gladiator and you'll want to see any film he plays in.

[Greg]

What happened to this guy? I thought he was great in Johnny Cash movie and then he just went off the deep end. Who understands celebrities?

[ChristopherMaloney]

I directed a 2008 documentary about Kaufman’s still-debated demise called “The Death of Andy Kaufman”. When I first saw J.P.’s appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” I was struck by the similarity in approach between these two performers. During Andy’s heyday, Letterman’s show was one of the only outlets for his unique brand of performance. Letterman has always understood that allowing someone’s oddness to run the show makes for enticing television. I think that Phoenix and Casey Affleck, understanding this about Letterman, sought out his “Late Show” as the perfect showcase for J.P.’s new demeanor. It is no coincidence that this stunt was on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and not “The Tonight Show” or “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, for example. Also, according to reviews of “I’m Not There,” there is footage of the infamous Letterman episode included in the film, which is interesting, because Worldwide Pants (Letterman’s company) is very particular about letting their footage be used in films or other sources. The fact that Letterman allowed this footage to be used in the film suggests that there is a joke, and he’s in on it. This is not to say that Phoenix is just goofing off. He may very well believe in this new character he has assumed. When Andy Kaufman would take on the role of Tony Clifton or Latka or the evil wrestling persona, he committed to such an intense level of accuracy that he seemingly became the character. He didn’t break out of the role to wink at the camera, and Phoenix may have committed with the same passion for a year in order to craft “I’m Not There”.

[Trixie]

"If it's a put on, then it's too subtle to really be amusing and he's not nearly famous enough to be worth this much attention."

I agree... although I'm sure Phoenix thinks he's playing the role of a lifetime. Affleck, Phoenix... a lot of huge egos involved here.