Joaquin Phoenix is one of the most talented actors of his generation so when he announced in late 2008 that Two Lovers was to be his last movie it did come as a bit of a surprise.
The actor had been in movies such as Gladiator, Walk The Line, Signs and Buffalo Soldiers throughout his career and picked up Oscar nominations for Gladiator and Walk The Line.
The actor revealed that he wanted to move away from acting to pursue a rap career - however it all turned out to be a hoax for mockumentary, I'm Still Here that he and Casey Affleck were working on.
Phoenix returns to the big screen this week in his first movie since Two Lovers as he teams up with Philip Seymour Hoffman for The Master.
And the actor has returned to box office success and critical acclaim as the movie has take the U.S. by storm.
Art house film records have been tumbling the other side of the pond as The Master has really captured the imagination of audiences.
Phoenix takes on the role of Freddie Quell in the movie an alcoholic World War II veteran who is struggling with post traumatic stress disorder and is trying to find his place in society.
Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman) launches a faith-based organization where Freddie becomes his right-hand man.
But as the faith begins to gain a fervent following, the onetime vagabond finds himself questioning the belief system he has embraced, and his mentor.
Phoenix is already tipped to be a major playing on the awards circuit this year as his performance, along with co-star Philip Seymour Hoffman, has been winning praise left, right and centre.
And it seems like the actor is here to stay as he has already completed work on a couple of other projects.
He will reunite with director James Gray next year for Nightingale, which will also star Jeremy Renner and Marion Cotillard.
Phoenix has also completed filming on Her, which is directed by Spike Jonze and will also star Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams and Rooney Mara.
The Master is released 2nd November
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
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