Movie stars pay good money for the services of publicists, so I don't understand why they don't avail themselves of said services more frequently. For instance, I'd wager that almost any publicist is functionally literate enough to have been able to have told Mr. Phoenix that, if he wanted to write "Goodbye!" under his knuckles ala Robert Mitchum's "Love/Hate" thing in Night of the Hunter, he should put the "Good" on his right hand and "Bye!" on his left—as, come to think of it, anyone who understands the concepts of "stage right" and "stage left" ought to also know. Then again, I guess Phoenix hasn't done much theater work.
Maybe he was saying "Bye!" with one hand, and predicting the reaction of the public with the other.
I actually like him, though.
Posted by: bill | November 03, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Yeah, I've liked him in a few things—"To Die For," "Walk The Line," "Buffalo Soldiers," "The Yards," "Two Lovers," that "Murder, She Wrote" episode...
Still. What a maroon.
Posted by: Glenn Kenny | November 03, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I'm sure he thought, "Well, since I wrote 'Good' first, that's the fist everyone will read first." Or, wait, did he do this in Japan? Or Israel?
Posted by: bill | November 03, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Maybe he's tryin' to be post-modern?
Or, he's reprising his role from U-Turn.
Posted by: Aaron Aradillas | November 03, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I predict Joaquin will be back sooner than Jay-Z, Brett Favre, and Michael Jordan. And if his musical career is anything like his brother's (R.I.P.), then his return shall be swift.
Which I must say I hope it will be. I like Phoenix, and prefer him to almost ever other major Hollywood star out there.
Posted by: Fox | November 03, 2008 at 12:49 PM
I'd be surprised if Phoenix stays retired, but what I find curious is that there was the need to make the announcement in the first place. If he doesn't want to act, then don't. If he wants to sing, then sing. Why does this neccesitate a statement? He's a skilled, I'd say underrated actor in some respects, but I doubt if anyone's crying today at the thought of never seeing another Joaquin performance. That picture just gives me douche chills, and if anyone's ever read or listened to one of his interviews you can be pretty certain that left hand/right hand thing was not only unintentional, but he's probably still looking at the picture thinking, "What do you mean there's something wrong with it?"
Posted by: Phil G | November 03, 2008 at 02:51 PM
I also agree that it probably won't be too long before we see his knuckles reading: BACK I'M.
Posted by: Jeff B. | November 03, 2008 at 04:32 PM
His quote to the Extra reporter who 'broke the story' was "It's like greener pastures, you know what I mean?" "And so, I'm just going to try and like, I'll just be doing the other thing. ... Hopefully, I will emotionally impact you with that, as well." Emotionally impact you with that as well??!?!? Man he is quite full himself. What a pretentious douche.
Posted by: Jfreeze | November 03, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Apparently Phoenix was channelling the late Morton Downey Jr.
Posted by: steve simels | November 04, 2008 at 10:48 AM
I agree his comments are moronic, but perhaps, in the interest of avoiding any misinterpretation, not maroonic.
Posted by: Gareth | November 04, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Hey, if he's got the big pile of fuck-you money, why not quit? Somehow, though, I don't think he'll be our Setsuko Hara.
Posted by: Dan | November 04, 2008 at 01:18 PM
I do think his retirement is a loss. What I liked about him was he never took the action star route, like Mark Wahlberg, around the same age, for example. Also Phoenix might come back soon - it is the third time since the late 80ies he decided to turn his back.
Posted by: thfu | November 05, 2008 at 08:06 AM
"What a maroon" was what Bugs Bunny always said.
I agree, why bother with some formal "statement?" I mean, who cares?
Posted by: rockandroller | November 10, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Joaquin Phoenix is quitting the film biz to become Vincent Gallo!?!?
Does Vincent know this?
Posted by: Davis | November 11, 2008 at 01:33 PM