Will Phoenix rise from the ashes or burn out permanently?

On February 11, 2009, actor Joaquin Phoenix appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman to promote his newest film Two Lovers. During his appearance, he failed to acknowledge Letterman’s attempts to initiate conversation, hardly promoted the film, and nervously scratched his beard as he told the world he is throwing in the acting towel and pursuing a rap career. As Phoenix tried his best to come off as ridiculous as possible, Letterman took this as an opportunity to spin the gag around on him. The crowd laughed awkwardly as Letterman made cracks at Phoenix’s charade. This may not have been exactly what Phoenix had intended, but it worked nonetheless. He wasn’t on the show to promote his “last” film, he was there to plant seeds, and create buzz for his rap career, but more importantly for his documentary. Wherever Phoenix is you can be sure brother in-law Casey Affleck is filming.

In true Andy Kauffman fashion Phoenix has taken this whole ordeal to incredible lengths. Videos have surfaced of Phoenix incoherently rapping/falling off stage, Sean ”Puffy” Combs is apparently attached to Phoenix’s upcoming album, and Phoenix even built a recording studio at his L.A. home.

So the question ultimately is, is this amazing or is this sad? Lets say it’s amazing, both Phoenix and Affleck are very successful, established, and distinguished actors in Hollywood. They act in spectacular films that showcase their acting prowess and raw talent. It seems unlikely that either one would attach themselves to something that wasn’t going to be a hit. Plus celebrities go crazy all the time, even if this concept falls flat, Phoenix will bounce back. Now, Lets say it’s sad. Phoenix grew up in the shadow of his older brother River. On October 31, 1993 the brothers were at Johnny Depp’s L.A. nightclub The Viper Room when River collapsed from a drug overdose. Joaquin called and then subsequently watched his brother die. After this Joaquin’s career took off putting him in the spotlight. Could his decision to stop acting be a cry for help, a return to the shadows, they way things used to be before the traumatic incident.

Ultimately his bizarre appearance on Letterman worked like a charm. If you didn’t catch it on television, they saw it on youtube, read about it in the newspaper, or over heard people talking about it. The interview even helped the opening box office earnings of Two Lovers, the film he technically didn’t even promote during the interview. Recently Phoenix has stayed out of the limelight, possibly because he is busy editing his masterpiece. I have no doubt in my mind that we will be seeing much more of Joaquin Phoenix in the future, and the public will eat it up.