Say it aint so

Joaquin Phoenix's odd appearance on David letterman this week(2/11/09) has left me thinking "is he serious?" Mr. phoenix caveman like appearance,mumbled/quieted speech have all occured since his recent retirement from showbiz. Before Joaquin decided to quit the acting business to start a rap career(album not released) he seemed to be perfectly fine. It came as a shock from many people in the business and many people who like me are huge fans of his work. his retirement seemed abrupt and felt like a punch to the gut. So abrupt in fact that i cant possiblely believe that he is serious about retirement after only 14 years in the business being what most consider one of the greatest actors of his generation. I think he is either on some seriously heavy drugs(heroine,cocaine,maybe some hallucinogens) and isnt thinking rationally or this is the greatest prank played on the public ive ever seen. Either way im dying to know what is up with Joaquin. Maybe the depression of losing his older brother and fellow actor River Phoenix has finally caught up to him and he has decided to deal with the depression with drugs? is he so genius and such a brilliant actor that he can fool everyone? or maybe sometimes he likes to wear dark shades and look like the unibomber(thats a popular look for geniuses). All i have is my opinion and the gift of speculation but either way it is a loss. His choice of retiring saddens me but his choice to harm himself is even worse. I dont know why i care but i do.