Review of I'm Still Here (2010) by Shane D — 10 Mar 2011

Iâ(TM)d casually followed the story behind this film as it was unfolding. I think it was probably hard to ever fully think it wasnâ(TM)t a hoax, I mean, it felt like at every turn the film-makers were winking at its audience that this wasnâ(TM)t for real.

I didnâ(TM)t get around to actually watching Iâ(TM)M STILL HERE until well after the fanfare over its release had subsided (or lack thereof in the end). The secret of its in-joke had been revealed, Phoenix had appeared as himself again.

..etc. Watching it, knowing that it had failed in the box office, knowing it was a fake, perhaps made it even more interesting. As far as a character driven performance goes, Phoenix delivered a strong performance (far stronger than any country singing biopic could ever offer him).

There are some obvious cheap tricks and easy targets along the way...but also some scenes where you wonder how he ever thought he would have a career again after it was all said and done. Gimmick aside, its an enthralling 2 hours.

..one film you may never watch again, in fact, you may forget existed altogether, but its a genuine, earnest effort no matter which way you slice it.