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I'm Still Here Review Critics


Dave White Profile

A new Leaf. Minus showers. Read full review

Other Critics provided by


  • 3.0

    out of 100

    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 25

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    It's really not much fun - in fact it's painful - to watch an actor on the verge of a nervous breakdown. It almost doesn't matter if the psyche in question is imploding artificially - as in staged - or organically.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter

    This sporadically engrossing mockumentary, which gets better as it rolls along, must have been planned way back before Phoenix bombed on "Late Show With David Letterman."

    Read Full Review

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

not for kids

Bad behavior from movie star Joaquin Phoenix isn't for kids.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that I'm Still Here is presented as a documentary about actor Joaquin Phoenix, who began behaving strangely in the spring of 2009, when he claimed to be retiring from acting to embark upon a career in rap music. Directed by Phoenix's friend/brother-in-law Casey Affleck, the film was revealed to be an elaborate stunt/hoax after it was released, but that doesn't change the fact that it showcases some truly awful behavior, including an onslaught of foul language (particularly "f--k"), drugs, booze, and sex with prostitutes (there's both male and female nudity, as well as some scenes that almost show actual sex acts taking place). Although it's definitely not for kids, the movie does provide an interesting commentary on pampered, spoiled celebrities.

  • Families can talk about Phoenix's behavior in the film -- including swearing, drinking, smoking, drugs, and fighting. Were there any consequences for his actions? If not, should there have been? What do you think would happen to non-celebrities who behaved this way?
  • What is the movie saying about celebrities? Is it out to convey a specific message? Is it successful?
  • It turns out that Phoenix's behavior here is part of a hoax. Is it funny? What do you think Phoenix and Affleck's goal was?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Phoenix essentially quits a job that he doesn't like to start a new one that suits him better. There might have been some inspiration to others if that was all, but he goes about this life change in a spoiled, selfish, and aggravating way, alienating all those who would help him. The fact that the film isn't actually a real documentary but was staged to look that way doesn't change the fact that this is what viewers who aren't in on the "joke" will take away from the movie.

  • rolemodels true0

    Role models: The film presents Phoenix as shockingly spoiled and selfish. He treats those around him with anger and contempt. He's slovenly, unkempt, and consumes drugs and alcohol. And he gets away with all of these things because of his celebrity, and there's little or no consequence. Yes, the whole thing is actually an elaborate stunt, with Phoenix playing a "character" version of himself, but that "character" is still a poor role model.

What to watch for
  • violence false2

    Violence: Phoenix fights with his personal assistant -- mostly verbally, but once there's a face slap, and in another scene, there's a full-on brawl after a disgruntled assistant defecates on Phoenix while the actor sleeps, and Phoenix wakes up and starts fighting. There's also a fight at a concert.

  • sex false5

    Sex: Several men (not Phoenix) are shown fully naked. In one scene, Phoenix browses sexy pictures on the internet, hires two prostitutes, and uses crude sexual language. The prostitutes are seen naked (with their faces blurred out) and partly (almost) engaged in sexual acts.

  • language false5

    Language: This movie could set a record for the most frequent onscreen use of "f--k," though it will be up to others to do the actual counting (it's easily over 200). Also fairly frequent uses of "s--t" and "bitch," as well as occasional uses of "d--k," "c--t," "Jesus Christ" (as an exclamation), "oh my God," "c--ksucker," "ass," and the "N" word.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false4

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: A secondary character is an alcoholic. Phoenix is seen smoking cigarettes and pot, snorting coke, and drinking beer.