“In those moments on set with Gus Van Sant or Paul Thomas Anderson or Lynne Ramsay, there’s something creative that’s happening. You’re part of a dance, and there are several people that are part of this moment you’re capturing. You’re all working together, inspiring each other, and creating something together. Where there wasn’t something before, there is now.”
-Joaquin Phoenix, episode 386 of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
Joaquin Phoenix is one of the greatest actors of his generation. For three decades, he’s moved seamlessly between auteur-driven films (Her, The Master) and box-office sensations (Gladiator, Joker).
We sit today for a rare, long-form conversation with Phoenix, starting with his latest film, Joker: Folie à Deux (9:10), his free-wheeling collaborations with director Todd Phillips (11:32), and the nomadic upbringing that marked his early years (15:00). Then, he reflects on his childhood television debut in Hill Street Blues (22:27), the brilliance of Robert De Niro (27:53), and his formative performances in To Die For and Parenthood (34:45).
On the back-half, we discuss how the polarizing mockumentary, I’m Still Here (47:15), inspired his singular collaborations with directors Spike Jonze, Paul Thomas Anderson, James Gray, and Lynne Ramsay (51:30). We also talk about the evolution of his acting process (52:47), the impassioned Oscars speech he delivered accepting Best Actor for Joker (58:15), and whether he’ll ever turn in what he believes is a ‘great’ performance (1:02:40).
Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at sf@talkeasypod.com.
Show-notes:
- See Joker: Folie à Deux in theaters October 4th.
- Watch Joaquin’s past work in Joker, Napoleon, Beau is Afraid, C’mon C’mon, You Were Never Really Here, Inherent Vice, Her, The Master, Two Lovers, Gladiator, and To Die For.
- For more episodes, hear our talks with Tom Hanks, Michelle Williams, Oscar Isaac, and Jon Bernthal.
- Order your Talk Easy mug in cream and navy or our vinyl record with Fran Lebowitz.
Illustrations by Krishna Shenoi.
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