Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck are both wonderful actors and have starred and contributed to several noteworthy projects. Having made a mark in the film industry as impeccable performers, the two actors once came together for an infamous project, to make a ‘documentary-esque’ film that turned out to be a ‘mockumentary’.
When Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck Risked Their Careers for a $737K Movie
Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck used to be the best of friends. Having met each other on the sets of To Die For, a 1995 film, the duo later got close when Affleck married Phoenix’s sister (now divorced), Summer Phoenix. Although they don’t talk to each other anymore (via Vanity Fair), the duo once collaborated on a documentary titled I’m Still Here.
The movie featured the real life of Phoenix and his transition from an actor to a hip-hop artist. While the later events in the film were purely fictitious, the film was somewhat controversial due to its ‘s*xual’ themes and Phoenix’s method acting, even off the sets of the film.
While the film only grossed $737K worldwide (via The Numbers), it quite literally put the careers of Phoenix and Affleck at risk. In an interview with Shortlist, Phoenix stated,
I didn’t think about it too much. The only thing that bothered me was that it might be difficult for me to work again as I wasn’t retiring and I wanted to continue to make films. So the only thing that gave me pause was the fact it might really affect my career.
Meanwhile, Affleck had similar dilemmas, for he had believed in the project so much that he did not take up another job, and invested too much time and money in the film. Affleck stated to the Film Industry Network,
I went broke. I hadn’t worked for more than a year, and I was pouring money into the movie. I had to stop for a month to do The Killer Inside Me. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to finish the film.
While it is commendable to see them invested in such a project, at the same time, I’m Still Here remains one of the most controversial movies of both Phoenix and Affleck’s career.
Despite Being Mocked, Joaquin Phoenix Believed I’m Still Here Liberated His Career
I’m Still Here was released to mostly negative critical reviews, and fans and critics blasted the now Oscar-winning Joaquin Phoenix for going along with such a film. Yet, the actor was not very concerned about the mockery despite being slightly afraid that the film might put his career at risk.
Later on, in a 2012 interview with Time, the Joker star revealed how despite the mockery, the film had significant positive effects on him. He stated,
Part of why I was frustrated with acting was because I took it so seriously. I want it to be so good that I get in my own way. It’s like love: when you fall in love, you’re not yourself anymore. You lose control of being natural and showing the beautiful parts of yourself, and all somebody recognizes is this total desperation. And that’s very unattractive. Once I became a total buffoon, it was so liberating.
Over the years, the film lies largely forgotten, but it is good to see that despite what Pheonix believed, the film eventually helped him get more comfortable with his craft. Now, both Oscar-winning actors, Casey Affleck as well as Joaquin Phoenix, have since enjoyed splendid success.
I’m Still Here can be streamed on Prime Video.
