Joaquin Phoenix: Out from River's Shadow

Joaquin Phoenix is an actor of talent on the verge of superstardom.

Not since Marlon Brando and James Dean has a young American actor so electrified a movie screen. Like Brando and Dean, Joaquin Phoenix has that rare on screen charm that comes along too infrequently. An actor’s job is to present emotions to an audience. So efficient is Phoenix, that you do not just witness his character's emotions, you participate in them.

He was born October 28th, 1974. He followed his brother River's lead and became a child actor. He made his film debut in 1986's Spacecamp. His most memorable character from his youth is playing the masturbating obsessed Garry, in Parenthood, 1989. In both of these films, Joaquin is billed as Leaf. He explained that; "I changed [my name] because no one in the states could pronounce 'Joaquin' and I used to get really embarrassed about it as a kid."

In 1993, Joaquin was with his brother River when he died outside Johnny Depp's nightclub. Joaquin made the 911 call and River died in his arms.

He would not make another movie until 1995's To Die For with Nicole Kidman. In 1997 he costarred with then girlfriend Liv Tyler, in Inventing the Abbots. In it, he plays a 1950's James Dean type character.

In 2000, the entire world finally took notice of Joaquin Phoenix's talent. He costarred in Gladiator and earned an Academy Award nomination. His character, Commodus, commits patricide and lusts after his own sister. He is sadistic and evil, yet in the capable hands of Phoenix, you see Commodus as a wounded man who only wanted his father’s love and not as just some raving lunatic out for blood.

With Signs (2002) Phoenix began a working relationship with M. Night Shyamalan. They worked together again in 2004's The Village. In both films, Phoenix is in a supporting role. However, he manages to steal scenes from the likes of Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver.

Phoenix has been a spokesman for PETA. He is quoted from PETA.org as saying; "I think you're a fucking asshole if you wear fur. It's ridiculous! There's no need for real fur — since there are compassionate alternatives." In 2003 he lent his voice to the environmentally agenda filled Disney movie Brother Bear. In the movie, characters wear furs, but later they learn that bears all have the same needs, desires and feelings as humans. blah blah blah

In Ladder 49, Phoenix plays one of his most contemporary, realistic characters to date. He stars along side John Travolta. As he has done with every costar since Russell Crowe in Gladiator, Phoenix steals every scene they share. He has that unique ability that allows the audience to see right into his character. We see his character's vulnerabilities. Phoenix makes his characters real no matter how flawed they may be.

Is Phoenix an environmentalist whacko? Is he currently dating anyone? Is he really a chain smoker who is afraid to fly? Is he still haunted by his brother’s death? To all these questions, I write that I do not know or care. That is all his business. I only care that this talented guy continues to do astounding acting in quality movies.