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I'm Still Here
User Score
6.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 29
  3. Negative: 6 out of 29

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  1. MarcDoyle
    Sep 12, 2010
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It would be just as entertaining to watch the Letterman appearance, the Miami nightclub show, and other public performances on YouTube than to watch this movie. Sadly, it gets boring . The final sequence is interminable. After years of Real World, The Hills, and other "semi-reality" shows, we don't really care how much is staged and how much is real. Just make it interesting. Compare this to the Joan Rivers doc from earlier this summer, and you can quickly understand which one was done well, and which one wasn't. I actually think that JP's got some talent - when he plays a couple of tracks for Puffy late in the film, I thought they were catchy. His voice is horrible, but it has its appeal. The guy is his own worst enemy, and a movie like this lifts the veil on his life in a way that just didn't need to happen. That is, if it's not all bs.… Expand
  2. QA
    Sep 20, 2010
    10
    Okay, I got to say this is too good, I like it so much. In fact , I'm just going to buy a DVD for this, then I can watch it over and over again. The scene is nice, the actor is great.
  3. Shiira
    Sep 21, 2010
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. You will feel it in your bones. "I'm Still Here" is real, contrary to the official statement made by the filmmaker claiming that it's not. The documentary plays like a byproduct of an intervention, a documentary with cross-purposes, unbeknownst to the subject, whose family and friends were at a loss as to how they could reach the drug-addled star of "Walk the Line", and most recently, James Grey's "Two Lovers". Think about it: the Phoenix clan is like the Kennedys of Tinsletown; they didn't want to lose both brothers. Could Joaquin be that insensitive, to knowingly make a mockery out of the drug-related circumstances which surrounded his older brother's death? In "I'm Still Here", he smokes pot; he snorts coke, the very things that helped kill River Phoenix back in 1993, without the slightest bit of camera awareness. That's how far-gone Joaquin was at the time. Never mind the haphazard locks and unruly facial hair; just focus on his gut. A sane person puts on weight for a role with prestige, as did Robert DeNiro when he portrayed Jack LaMotta in Martin Scorsese's "Raging Bull", not some home movie shot by his brother-in-law. This is pure speculation, but here's my best guess as to what the actor was thinking, and what the filmmaker was thinking: Joaquin, the pampered celebrity, encircled with sycophants who exalt his every move, actually believes he can rap, so the actor in transition participates in the project under the pretense that "I'm Still Here" will predominantly be a music documentary, a behind-the-scenes look at his second career from the ground level up, whereas the brother-in-law, abetted by the people who have no stake in Phoenix's professional life, want to burst his bubble. Now that Joaquin's camp is proclaiming "I'm Still Here" to be a hoax, consider the bubble burst, as the actor perhaps finally sees for himself the evidence mounted against him, in regard to his "talent" as a hip-hop recording artist. Joaquin's camp would like us to believe that Phoenix was pulling an Andy on us, or goofing on Spike Jonze, whose "Being John Malkovich" features a lengthy segment where Malkovich retires from the acting world in order to be a puppeteer. But just remember, before you abide by the press release, truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction. After all, Michael Jordan tried his luck at baseball. "I'm Still Here" served as a reality check for Joaquin; he's no Eminem, he lost himself, but getting off drugs and getting a sympathy hug from P. Diddy helped the actor "snap back to reality".… Expand
  4. Fanshawe
    Sep 18, 2010
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Okay, I've let this movie percolate around my brain for a week now, and by now, we know that this is performance art, and not any sort of "real" documentary. The people who hate this movie are most likely people that can't laugh at themselves or find that exploring their own prejudices is just too uncomfortable. This movie isn't about JP at all; it's about celebrity worship and our rathr sick culture. I'm just as guilty as everyone else. In short, this is the most daring movie I've seen in years, and the most rewarding one I've seen since "There Will Be Blood." It out-Kaufmanns Andy Kaufmann. Affleck and Phoenix both deserve hardware.… Expand
  5. druss
    Feb 19, 2011
    7
    The reviews are hilarious. Undeniably balsy film. How can you call it a hoax when he's blowing lines and having sex with prostitutes? How can his rants be a hoax. It's pretty true to life, and it's a work of art, not a hoax. It's self-indulgent and not everyone's cup of tea, but I appreciated it.
  6. MedinaReviews
    Sep 30, 2010
    9
    ‘I’m Still Here’ or I Don’t Care What You Think, This Is Art As a film, ‘I’m Still Here’ was not what I was expecting at all when I first walked in the theater. But what it turned out to be was one of the most unique, honest, and emotionally powerful films of the year. I’ll get to the controversy surrounding the production and marketing of the film in a second, but I believe that this film deserves a chance to be looked at just within the context of what was put on the screen. I walked into the one theater in LA playing the film on opening night already excited, but what I was expecting to be excited about was seeing a hilarious Sacha Baron Cohen-type mocumentary. At first, I was amused by the film and JP’s ridiculous rapping, but halfway through I just stopped laughing. Everyone else in the theater continued to chuckle nervously throughout the film, but I could tell that the mood had changed in the theater. Joaquin Phoenix’s performance was so honest that it got real for me, connecting on a deep emotional level that can only be the result of deliberate, genius filmmaking. Personally, I really felt for JP, and I don’t know if was because I was feeling sorry for him or because of a strange feeling of empathy (probably both), but regardless by the end of the film there was a feeling of understanding that seemed to overpower everything else. So ultimately my point is: who cares? Who cares if it was completely 100% real or if it was characters and situations dreamed up by the filmmakers. I hate to break it to you, but there is nothing in film that is completely ‘real’. We can start with reality TV, which is completely scripted, set-up, and way more pointless that this film can ever be, and go all the way to news, which itself inherently has its own slants, viewpoints, and agendas, that you can never define a dividing line between what is real and what is fake. This film is a character study. And a well executed, brilliantly performed, and captivating one at that. How can you not give credit to Joaquin for this performance? Here is a critically acclaimed, yet under-rated at the box office actor that spent two years of his life living a character. If nothing else, this film should be seen as a vehicle to showcase the true talent, the previously unseen genius of Phoenix as an actor. And Affleck as a filmmaker. I can see why Phoenix and Affleck were confused when people started calling their film a hoax. Even though they knew that they were playing characters and setting-up situations, I can see why they never considered any of it ‘fake’. Hoax is the completely wrong word to describe what this film is. Its insulting to say that it is fake just because the marketing concept was to present it as a true documentary. It’s all part of the art. Whether you like it or not, you cannot discredit it as being a real film. This is the year of the ‘unsure’ documentary, where you leave a film that is presented as a traditional documentary not sure if it was a mocumentary or not. ‘Catfish’ is the exact same way, except that I am still unsure of what that film is. But ultimately the point is that you fully enjoy these films, regardless of the production and marketing techniques. So in the end, I understand why people were disappointed. People don’t want to feel that they were lied to in a film. But if you step back and look objectively at the film, there is no reason to discredit Joaquin as an actor or Casey Affleck as a filmmaker. But then again, I’m a sucker for mockumentaries. medinareviews.com twitter.com/medinareviews… Expand
  7. Tony
    Oct 11, 2010
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I saw this after Phoenix announced that it was all a hoax, so I'm afraid I didn't get the full experience they were going for. However, if it is in the same vein as Borat or Bruno, then it is a respectable performance in an unremarkable film. Affleck does not show much directorial flair, but there are some good laughs and is generally entertaining. I have no idea what I would have thought had I seen this before the hoax announcement was made.… Expand
  8. ThomDowting
    Oct 15, 2010
    10
    Bottom Line: I haven't laughed so much since Borat. Yes, it's that good. If you loved Peter Sellers in 'The Party' then you'll love the heck out of 'I'm Still Here'. And for all you haters out there. Why you gotta hate the player? If you can still hate this movie while you're hating the game instead... well, I for one feel sorry for you. And no. I haven't the foggiest what that means. Quit looking for meaning where there is none. @Tony -- Pure B.S. my man! Affleck Jr. directed the *.-ish out of this film. I'll start with the end... gorgeous... evocative of Terrence Malick. Also enjoyed the Dylan references... 'I'm Not There' (also a great film). And if you're studied enough and pay attention throughought the film and can manage to keep your eyes on the film despite laughing so hard your head hurts, homie's dropping references as if his name were Tarantino. Casey Affleck for 'Pres 2012!!! @Shira -- you wrote too much brother. But a 6? really? Na-unh. Turn that frown upside down! 9... MINIMUM! @MarcDoyle -- You thought his tracks were catchy? Stop the presses... hold the phone... blow the whistle... foul!... automatic disqualification! Look, if you're reading this and trying to decide whether to see the movie... are you really going to take the advice of a guy who's favorite part of a mockumentary about hip-hop is the mock hip-hop? I think not. M'Doyle obviously thinks that mock-u-mentary hip-hop specifically crafted (or lack there of) for the prupose of eliciting a quality belly laugh is the second coming of M&M. White-boy is obviously white-boy. And if I may take a moment to echo those famous words... M' Doyle DOESN'T RULE!!! My only qualm, a pecadillo really, is where towards the end JP is drinking Imperials with the old man in what is supposed to be Guatemala. The patajos drink Gallo gringos!!! If you want to drink the IMP, go back to C.R.!!! The 51st state! And if you do, be sure to check out Sta. Theresa!!! The waves are tops and the Ticos y Ticas make it all worth while! IN SUM: All in all... the best movie I've seen this year (granted, I don't get out much so I don't see a whole lot of movies but...) & best comedy since Borat. Nuff' said. And yes, it's better than 'The Hangover'!… Expand
  9. Duke
    Nov 2, 2010
    6
    I’m not sure how good “I’m Still Here” is as a film, but I know I couldn’t keep my eyes off it. Phoenix is mesmerizing and I truly believe that he deserves some Oscar considerations for this. Even if this film is a hoax, he risks his whole career, his reputation and everything else around his life.
  10. Evolutionary
    Jan 7, 2011
    10
    Don't be fooled by the critic's reviews. This is the funniest movie of 2010, but only if you view it as the hoax it is. Phoenix is brilliant, chanelling the likes of documentary narcissitic anti-hero's such as Anton Newcombe from Dig! Despite some absurd behaviour, the comedy still remains subtle, similar to the awkward humour of Gervais and Merchant, if they were on coke.
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
48 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 12 out of 33
  1. Orlando Sentinel
    Reviewed by: Roger Moore
    Oct 23, 2010
    38
    It's all tiresome, muddied and artlessly made.
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  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Damon Wise
    60
    Affleck's meta-satire riffs amusingly on celebrity culture without hitting too many faux-doc highs.
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    91
    An artful piece of exploitation vιritι.
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